Uploaded November 2025 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
Australian shipbuilder Civmec has revealed a number of upgrades for RAN Arafura-class OPVs termed "Capability Enhancement". The builder presented the proposal as part of their presentation at the Indo Pacific 2025 International Maritime Exposition in Sydney.
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The main gun-upgrade would be the Bofors 57 mm Mk 3 autocannon. The gun is already part of the basic PV-80 design, from which Australia adapted the Arafura-class. Courtesy of programmable ammunition the gun offers significant flexibility in engaging surface-, air- and land-targets. The Bofors Mk 3 is in use with a number of foreign navies, beyond Brunei also on German coast guard OPV and the navies of Sweden, Finland and Canada, among others.
The remaining modifications are located at the stern of the OPV. On the large flight deck the Arafura-upgrade would install a quadruple launcher for NSM antiship missiles, facing astern. The Royal Australian Navy is presently introducing NSM as new standard antiship missile across the fleet. In addition, multiple ISO containers would carry a large number of loitering munitions, or alternatively reconnaissance drones for ISR. The container design is a recent evolution of a configuration which SH Defense developed in cooperation with UVision.
Finally, the Capability Enhancement-effort would see the integration of the Thales CAPTAS 1-variable depth sonar below the flight deck. The upgrade would locate this module either port or starboard of the RHIB launch bay at the stern. CAPTAS-1 is a relatively compact design which offers a modular and cost effective ASW-capability. The Thales VDS allows standalone or networked multistatic operations, including interoperability with hull mounted sonar systems and sono buoys.
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Australian shipbuilder Civmec has revealed a number of upgrades for RAN Arafura-class OPVs termed "Capability Enhancement". The builder presented the proposal as part of their presentation at the Indo Pacific 2025 International Maritime Exposition in Sydney.
=====================
The main gun-upgrade would be the Bofors 57 mm Mk 3 autocannon. The gun is already part of the basic PV-80 design, from which Australia adapted the Arafura-class. Courtesy of programmable ammunition the gun offers significant flexibility in engaging surface-, air- and land-targets. The Bofors Mk 3 is in use with a number of foreign navies, beyond Brunei also on German coast guard OPV and the navies of Sweden, Finland and Canada, among others.
The remaining modifications are located at the stern of the OPV. On the large flight deck the Arafura-upgrade would install a quadruple launcher for NSM antiship missiles, facing astern. The Royal Australian Navy is presently introducing NSM as new standard antiship missile across the fleet. In addition, multiple ISO containers would carry a large number of loitering munitions, or alternatively reconnaissance drones for ISR. The container design is a recent evolution of a configuration which SH Defense developed in cooperation with UVision.
Finally, the Capability Enhancement-effort would see the integration of the Thales CAPTAS 1-variable depth sonar below the flight deck. The upgrade would locate this module either port or starboard of the RHIB launch bay at the stern. CAPTAS-1 is a relatively compact design which offers a modular and cost effective ASW-capability. The Thales VDS allows standalone or networked multistatic operations, including interoperability with hull mounted sonar systems and sono buoys.
=====================
For new videos every week, subscribe here! youtube.com/c/NavalNews?sub_confirmation=1
Follow us on Twitter: twitter.com/navalnewscom
Follow us on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/navalnews
Like us on Facebook: fb.me/navalnewscom
Check out our daily naval defense news coverage at: navalnews.com
NAVAL NEWS is fully focused on naval topics. We cover the latest naval defense shows & events. We also report on naval technology from all over the world. Navalnews.com is updated daily with in-depth features, industry, and naval forces news round-ups, event coverage, video reports and more. Our top of the line site is responsive across all mobile and desktop devices.
