Papua New Guinea commissions second Guardian-class patrol vessel

HMPNGS
Ted Diro
, Papua New Guinea's first of 4 Guardian-class patrol vessels. The Papua New Guinea Defence Force's Maritime Element commissioned the second vessel, HMPNGS
Rochus Lokinap
, on 7 October 2021.
(Austal)

Papua New Guinea Defence Force's (PNGDF's) Maritime Element has commissioned its second Guardian-class patrol vessel, the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) introduced on 13 October.

The vessel, HMPNGS Rochus Lokinap, was commissioned on the Lobrum Naval in Papua New Guinea's Manus province on 7 October, the RAN stated.

Rochus Lokinap was handed over to the PNGDF in March 2021. The nation's first Guardian-class patrol vessel, HMPNGS Ted Diro, was commissioned in February 2019. Both vessels are a part of the Australian authorities's Pacific Patrol Boat Replacement (SEA 3036) programme. The venture is delivering 21 new patrol vessels as donations to 12 Pacific Island international locations and Timor-Leste. The PNGDF will obtain a complete of 4 vessels beneath the initiative.