1. Australia’s Defence Engagement in the Pacific
2016 Defence White Paper
Our second Strategic Defence Interest is in a secure nearer region, encompassing maritime South east Asia and the South Pacific.
The second Strategic Defence Objective is to support the security of maritime South East Asia and support the Governments of Papua New Guinea, Timor-Leste and of Pacific Island Countries to build and strengthen their security
Australia will continue to seek to be the principal security partner for Papua New Guinea, Timor-Leste and Pacific Island Countries in the South Pacific.
We do this through the Defence Cooperation Program
Australia has a fundamental interest in the security and stability of Pacific Island Countries.
Our approach has been to work closely and collaboratively with our neighbours in the Pacific on shared security concerns.
Our commitment is evidenced through our long-standing security partnerships with Pacific Island countries across several decades.
And our budgetary commitments reflect this – our DCP budget for Pacific/Timor-Leste is AUD 77.6 million for FY 15-16; Including AUD21 million for the Pacific Patrol Boat Program.

2. Australia’s Defence Engagement in the Pacific
Defence Cooperation Program (DCP)
Since the 1960s, Australia’s DCP has formed a significant component of Australia’s international defence engagement.
The DCP:
promotes the professionalism and capacity of our key regional partners;
improves Australia’s capacity to work with those partners in response to common security challenges; and
builds strong people-to-people links with regional defence and security forces at the tactical, operational and strategic levels.

3. Australia’s Defence Engagement in the Pacific
Defence Cooperation Program (DCP)
We deliver the DCP through a wide range of activities including:
education courses, training, and personnel exchanges;
capacity building projects and infrastructure support;
military secondments and in-country advisers;
gifted assets;
strategic dialogues, senior visits, subject matter expert exchanges; and
exercises and operations.

4. Australia’s Defence Engagement in the Pacific
Defence Cooperation Program (DCP)
The DCP aims to build capacity in 5 key areas of engagement:
humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR);
peacekeeping;
counter-terrorism;
maritime security; and
military governance and professionalism.
We aim to work with our partners to identify their capability requirements and deliver activities they want.
If our partners are invested in the activity, we all achieve a better capacity-building outcome.

5. Australia’s Defence Engagement in the Pacific
Defence Cooperation Program (DCP)
The DCP is managed by International Policy Division.
Our Canberra-based workforce is supported by 84 Navy, Army, Air Force and Defence civilian advisers across 17 countries.
In Financial Year , Defence will expend approximately AUD106.6 million on the DCP.
AUD77.68 million will be spent in the South Pacific.

6. Australia’s Support for MCS Activities
Pacific Patrol Boat (PPB) Program
The centrepiece of Australia’s defence engagement in the South Pacific.
Australia gifted 22 PPBs to 12 countries from
The PPBs assist Pacific Island Countries to take an active role in protecting their maritime security.
PPBs are operated by both militaries (3 countries) and police forces (9 countries).
Under the Pacific Patrol Boat Program, Australia gifted 22 patrol boats to 12 participating nations between 1987 and 1997.
The Pacific Patrol Boats are gifted by Australia as sovereign assets, and have enabled Pacific Island countries to take an active role in securing their own borders and resources – to the benefit of the region overall. The PPBs are used to undertake a wide range of tasks, from fisheries enforcement, to Search and rescue, to movement of ballot boxes.

7. Pacific Patrol Boat nations include: Papua New Guinea, Tonga, Fiji, Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Kiribati, Samoa, Vanuatu, Federated States of Micronesia, Palau, Republic of Marshall Islands and the Cook Islands.

8. Australia’s Support for MCS Activities
Pacific Patrol Boat (PPB) Program
The PPBs are sovereign assets that can be used to conduct a wide range of tasks, including:
Fisheries surveillance patrols
Law enforcement/policing surveillance patrols
Search and Rescue
Humanitarian and Disaster Relief (e.g. Tonga supporting Fiji after Cyclone Winston)
Medical transport/evacuation
Election support and movement of Government officials
Australia provides ongoing maintenance and logistic support to the patrol boats, as well as training for patrol boat crews. Sustainment and training are provided by Australia through contracted providers.
In-country technical and supervisory support is provided through 22 RAN Maritime and technical advisers, including a LCDR and CPO in each country.
Australia also provide fuel and victuals for national surveillance patrols, as well as multilateral operations run by the Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA). Our support to FFA-led operations encourages greater cooperation and familiarity between PPB countries.

9. Australia’s Support for MCS Activities
Support to the Forum Fisheries Agency
Australia supports FFA-led regional MCS operations through:
Secondment of a Royal Australian Navy Surveillance Operations Officer to the RFSC;
Fully funding the participation of the PPBs in FFA-led operations (including fuel and victuals);
Contributing Royal Australian Air Force surveillance aircraft and Air Liaison Officers during FFA-led operations;
Funding watchkeeper attachments from regional security services to the RFSC during FFA-led operations; and
Funding for infrastructure upgrades as required, including recent renovations of the RFSC operations room.

10. Australia’s Support for MCS Activities
Pacific Maritime Security Program (PMSP)
The Pacific Maritime Security Program (PMSP) will build on the success of the current PPB Program, and include:
Replacement of current PPB fleet under Project SEA 3036;
Continuation of in-country advisors, crew training, sustainment, maintenance, and operational support;
Integrated aerial surveillance across the region; and
Enhancements to regional coordination.
The PMSP will cost AUD2 billion over 30 years.
A significant contribution to regional maritime security.
The PMSP will be a truly ‘regional’ program
Building on existing regional coordination centres like the FFA, and encouraging greater regional cooperation.

11. PMSP – Replacement Boats
Australia’s Support for MCS Activities
PMSP – Replacement Boats
Guardian-Class Patrol Boats (GPBs) will be purpose-built for the operating environment and range of taskings required in the South Pacific.
Participating countries had input to the development of design specifications for the replacement vessels during
Australia has also:
Conducted a study of prevailing sea states in each country's EEZ to determine appropriate seakeeping ability;
Conducted an anthropometric study to ensure living and operational spaces will fit a range of body types;
Made allowances for weapon systems;
Ensured the vessel could conduct naval, policing, fisheries, HADR, and election operations; and
Requested a design that would remain cost-effective to own, operate and maintain.

12. Current Pacific Patrol Boat Austal’s Replacement Patrol Boat
Australia’s Support for MCS Activities
Principal Dimensions – Modified Bay Class
Current Pacific Patrol Boat
Austal’s Replacement Patrol Boat
Length
31.5 meters
39.5 meters
Beam
8.2 metres 
8.0 metres
Draft
2.3 metres
2.5 metres 
Crew
15 (plus 4 berths)
19 (plus 4 berths) suitable for a mixed gender crew
Speed
20 knots
20 knots in Sea State 4
Range
2000 nautical miles at 12 knots
3000 nautical miles at 12 knots in Sea State 4
Operability
Sea State 4
Top of Sea State 4

13. Project SEA 3036 – Pacific Patrol Boat Replacement
Lower Deck
4 Berth w/ Head/Shower (female/senior sailors)
4 Berth
2 Berth
Additional Heads/Showers
Magazine
2 Berth
4 Berth
2 Berth w/ Head/Shower (female/senior sailors)

14. Project SEA 3036 – Pacific Patrol Boat Replacement
Main Deck
Deck Crane
Sick Bay or 2 Berth
Seaboat and Launch and Recovery Ramp
Cargo Area
Officers Mess
Sailors Mess
Location for Foredeck Mounted Gun
Small Arms Store and Boarding Party Preparation Area
CO’s Cabin w/ Head/Shower
Galley
2 Berth w/ Head/Shower (female/senior sailors)

15. Project SEA 3036 – Pacific Patrol Boat Replacement
Bridge Deck
Location for port machine gun
Removable awning
Ship’s Emergency Power (Genset)
Evidence Locker
Bridge
Location for starboard machine gun

16. Australia’s Support for MCS Activities
Profile

17. Australia’s Support for MCS Activities
Navigation and Communications
Updated communications systems will include:
VHF/DSC Radios and MF/HF DSC Radios;
VHF Aeroband Radio and UHF Military Radio;
Inmarsat C and SatCom for calls and data; and
HF and VHF radio Direction finder.
Updated navigation systems and sensors include:
X-Band Radar;
Electronic Chart System;
Differential GPS and Gyrocompass,
Autopilot; and
Depth Sounder
Australia is considering funding for satellite communications to ensure reliable comms between surface assets, national HQs, the FFA, and air assets.

18. Australia’s Support for MCS Activities
Military vs. Police Requirements
While the majority of replacement vessels will be operated by Maritime Police Forces, Australia has ensured they remain suitable for naval operations.
The vessels include:
A small arms store, magazine, and boarding party preparation area;
Structure suitable for a single foredeck mounted naval gun, and port and starboard midship machine guns (weapons not fitted by Australia);
UHF Military Radio compatible with RAN and RAAF assets;
Separate Officers Mess (4 pax), adjacent to Sailors Mess; and
Corresponding colour scheme to RAN vessels (Haze Grey).

19. Australia’s Support for MCS Activities
Enforcement and HADR capabilities
Stern launch and recovery doors and ramp for Seaboat
SOLAS-approved fast RHIB with 2 x 90hp outboard motors
Capable of carrying up to an 8 person boarding party
Serviced by stern transom points and access ladders
Dedicated evidence storage locker
1500kg Deck Crane for general purpose and HADR stores embarkation
16m² cargo deck with lashing grid and power outlet, serviced by deck crane
Suitable for refrigerated shipping container or palletised stores
Shaded by a removable awning
2 Reverse Osmosis (RO) plants producing 3190lt water per day
2-berth Sick Bay with independent air flow system for transport of infectious patients

20. Australia’s Support for MCS Activities
Integrated Aerial Surveillance
Aerial surveillance enables more targeted, intelligence driven maritime patrols within a country’s EEZ.
Australia proposes to provide a contracted manned fixed-wing platform solution.
Operational control has been offered to the Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) in Honiara.
The Australian Department of Defence will manage contract.
Member countries will be able to submit Air Tasking Requests (ATRs) to the FFA, for aerial surveillance support.
Phased approach over an initial three-year period.
Will be focused on detecting and responding to Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated fishing in the initial 3-5 year period.
Could expand remit to detect other transnational crime after this time.

21. Australia’s Support for MCS Activities
Enhancements to Regional Coordination
Increase use and sharing of information already available through existing regional coordination centres:
Across national agencies within each country; and
Between countries, the FFA, and the Pacific Transnational Crime Coordination Centre in Samoa.
New initiatives under consideration include:
Additional fuel funding for cooperative patrols;
Funding satellite communications bills for the replacement vessels;
Installation of satellite communications systems in national HQs and regional coordination centres like the FFA;
Training on evidence collection and management skills; and
Infrastructure works at national HQs or Joint Coordination Centres in each country.

22. Australia’s Support for MCS Activities
Pacific Maritime Security Program
“A NEW ERA OF PARTNERSHIP”