The RAN commissions newest Offshore Patrol Vessel HMAS Eyre
Yesterday, 30 May 2026, the Royal Australian Navy commissioned HMAS Eyre into the fleet in a ceremony at HMAS Stirling at Garden Island, just south of Fremantle.
HMAS Eyre is the second of six planned Arafura class offshore patrol vessels (OPV) to enter service, following the commissioning of sister ship HMAS Arafura in Fremantle Harbour last year.
The 80-metre long Arafura class OPVs will help patrol and secure Australia’s maritime border alongside the Evolved Cape class patrol boats. Together, they play a key role in humanitarian and disaster relief, and enhance Navy’s regional engagement.
Head of Navy Capability Rear Admiral Stephen Hughes AM CSC, RAN issues Commanding Officer HMAS Eyre Lieutenant Commander Amy Brauns the ship’s commissioning orders during a ceremony held at HMAS Stirling, Western Australia
HMAS Eyre has a range of 4,000 nautical miles and can perform roles previously requiring numerous vessels. The ship has further improved living quarters and amenities to better support sailors and officers deployed at sea.
HMAS Eyre was built by Civmec Defence Industries (formerly Luerssen Australia) at the Osborne Naval Shipyard in South Australia.
The next four OPVs are under construction at the Henderson Shipyard, near Fremantle.
The Governor of Western Australia the Honourable Chris Dawson AC APM, Seaman Electronic Technician Logan Coote, Judge, Federal Court of Australia The Honourable Natalie Charlesworth, Commanding Officer HMAS Eyre Lieutenant Commander Amy Brauns and Head of Navy Capability Rear Admiral Stephen Hughes AM CSC, RAN cut the commissioning cake during a ceremony held at HMAS Stirling, Western Australia
On speaking at the commissioning ceremony,Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Mark Hammond, AO, RAN said that the commissioning of HMAS Eyre ‘strengthens our nation’s maritime security, providing our Navy with the capability to protect Australia’s maritime approaches, contributing to stability in our region’, adding that OPVs like HMAS Eyre are ‘force multipliers’ performing a number of roles in a variety of missions.
He also explained that the Eyre will conduct maritime surveillance interdiction and was purpose built to embark containerised mission systems as part of an integrated capability.
Here’s the Eyre arriving off Garden Island last year prior to her formal acceptance into the Navy.
The name Eyre is for the early South Australian explorer and later British colonial administrator Edward John Eyre.
*By Michael Barker, Editor, Fremantle Shipping News
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