As the Royal Australian Navy’s SEA1180 Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) project transitions to serial production of the Arafura-class, L3Harris is a pivotal technology partner. The company provides the core mission systems that form the backbone of this modern, sovereign patrol capability. These vessels are designed to secure Australia’s maritime domain, enforce border protection, and operate in challenging conditions.
L3Harris delivers integrated solutions including communications, bridge, navigation, and platform management systems. This integration ensures seamless command and control, resilient data connectivity, and safe ship operations. Key features encompass an integrated electronic navigation system, satellite communications, and a platform management system that automates propulsion and damage control. With the first ships now entering service and subsequent vessels under construction at Civmec Defence Industries (CDI) in Henderson, the focus is on building at scale.
The company is now expanding its role from systems integration to long-term sustainment. It is driving standardized installation and testing processes to ensure consistency across the entire class of ships. A key component of this is investing in local Australian industrial capability. L3Harris is growing its engineering and sustainment workforce in Fremantle and Cairns, establishing regional support functions for faster maintenance and spares management.
Sustainment is engineered into every solution, with systems designed for longevity and ease of maintenance. This is complemented by comprehensive training for RAN personnel to confidently operate and sustain the advanced systems. Furthermore, L3Harris embeds cyber resilience into its OPV systems through secure software lifecycle management and hardened architectures, protecting mission integrity from digital threats. This holistic approach, combining global expertise with local delivery, ensures Australia’s offshore patrol fleet is ready, reliable, and sovereign.
