HMPNGS Gilbert Toropo (photo : Calistemon)
Papua New Guinea has taken ownership of its fourth Guardian-class Patrol Boat at a handover ceremony today at HMAS Stirling, south of Perth, Western Australia.
Papua New Guinea Minister for Defence, the Hon Win Bakri Daki MP, accepted the patrol boat, HMPNGS Gilbert Toropo, on behalf of the Government of Papua New Guinea.
The patrol boat, designed and built by Austal right here in Western Australia, will contribute to Papua New Guinea’s ability to protect its territorial waters and tackle shared maritime security challenges such as illegal and unregulated fishing.
HMPNGS Gilbert Toropo joins Papua New Guinea’s other vessels Ted Diro, Rochus Lokinap and Francis Agwi as the 17th Guardian-class Patrol Boat delivered under the Australian Government’s Pacific Maritime Security Program.
The program is a 30-year commitment by the Australian Government to ensure uninterrupted engagement with our Pacific partners in support of a stable, prosperous and secure region.
(Aus DoD)