Aust giving PNG new naval ships

By JACKLYN SIRIAS
THE Defence Force maritime section will be receiving four new naval ships from Australia to boost its surveillance capabilities.
Chief of force preparation Col Siale Diro told The National that the boats would be replacing the ones that were no longer usable.
“These Guardian Class Patrol Boats are going to be presented to us as gifts from the Australian Defence Force through the Pacific Maritime Security Programme initiative,” he said. Diro said they had inbuilt facilities, more improved communication technologies on board, great endurance out at sea and could now cater for females as well.
“These vessels will really beef up our surveillance responses at the borders,” he said. Diro said the four ships which they were currently using; the HMPNGS Rabaul, Moresby, Drega and Seatler did not have facilities for women. The first one of those four new ones is expected to be arriving in the country in December to replace the HMPNGS Rabaul,” he said.
“The vessel which bears the name Ted Diro was launched on May 29 at the Australian Marine Complex at Henderson, Western Australia, by shipbuilder Austal. It is the first of 21 boats that will be gifted to 12 Pacific Islands nations as part of Australia’s security assistance to countries in the region.