The first of six Arafura-class offshore patrol vessels (OPV) from the NVL Group subsidiary Luerssen Australia has been delivered to the Australian Ministry of Defence. In 2018, Canberra contracted with the German shipbuilder for the SEA 1180 project. The lead vessel, NUSHIP Arafura, was built in accordance with the agreement starting in November 2018 and launched in December 2021. Before being turned over to the Royal Australian Navy later this year, the first OPV will be delivered, sail to its homeport at HMAS Stirling in Western Australia, and go through additional testing and assessment.
