Members of ship’s company march onto parade during the commissioning of HMAS Eyre at HMAS Stirling. Credit: ABIS Jayden Fahy.

The Royal Australian Navy (RAN) has officially commissioned HMAS Eyre, the second vessel in its Arafura-class offshore patrol programme, during a ceremony at HMAS Stirling in Western Australia.  

The ship follows the entry of HMAS Arafura into the fleet last year and is one of six planned Arafura-class offshore patrol vessels (OPVs) intended to bolster Australia’s maritime security operations. 

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Measuring 80 metres in length and displacing 1,625 tonnes, the Arafura-class is designed to patrol and secure Australia’s maritime borders, operating in conjunction with the Evolved Cape-class patrol boats.  

According to the Department of Defence, these ships are intended to support a range of duties, including humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, while also enhancing the Navy’s regional engagement efforts. 

HMAS Eyre is equipped with a range of 4,000 nautical miles and is expected to perform tasks that previously required multiple vessels.  

The vessel features upgraded living quarters and amenities, intended to improve conditions for its crew during extended operations at sea. 

RAN, AO, navy chief vice admiral Mark Hammond said: “The commissioning of HMAS Eyre strengthens our nation’s maritime security, providing our Navy with the capability to protect Australia’s maritime approaches, contributing to stability in our region.”

HMAS Eyre was constructed by Civmec Defence Industries at the Osborne Naval Shipyard in South Australia, marking the final OPV to be built at that site.  

Production of the remaining four Arafura-class vessels is underway at Civmec’s newer facility in Henderson, Western Australia.  

NUSHIP Pilbara, the first of the class to be constructed in Western Australia was launched in October 2025 and is now undergoing harbour acceptance trials.  

Other vessels, NUSHIPs Gippsland, Illawarra, and Carpentaria, are reported to be at various stages of construction and outfitting at the Henderson facility. 

The RAN commissioned the HMAS Arafura, the first vessel in the Arafura-class OPVs into its surface fleet in June last year.