The Royal Australian Navy will today commemorate the service of HMA Ships Albany, Bathurst, and Childers – the final three Armidale class patrol boats – during a triple decommissioning ceremony at their home port of HMAS Coonawarra in Darwin.
Over the past 20 years, the patrol boats have worked alongside other Government agencies to support Operation Sovereign Borders and Operation Resolute – protecting Australia against unauthorized entry; breaches of customs; fisheries protection, and upholding immigration and drugs legislation.
The Armidale class has supported allies and partners across the Indo-Pacific region, collaborating with partner navies to enhance interoperability. The three decommissioning ships have participated in more than 70 maritime exercises with more than 30 partner navies during their tenure.
The Armidale class patrol boats were also showcased in the Australian drama Sea Patrol, which featured the fictional HMAS Hammersley from 2008-2011.
This decommissioning completes Navy’s transition to the Evolved Cape class patrol boats that will continue to patrol and secure Australia’s maritime borders.
HMAS Albany, and Bathurst, commissioned in 2006, HMAS Childers in 2007.
Over the course of their careers, each Armidale has sailed an average of 4800 days, travelled more than 800,000 nautical miles, conducted over 500 boardings, and visited approximately 40 international ports.