As the Australian government continues to invest in its signature 'Pacific Step up' program, Barry Jones, manager of the Pacific Patrol Boat program (PPB), joins host Phil Tarrant to discuss the role of Australian naval shipbuilding and the University of Tasmania's Australian Maritime College in supporting regional security.

Originally designed to fulfil a maritime border, fisheries, resource-security and economic exclusion zone (EEZ) patrol capacity following changes made by the United Nations to the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), the Australian-designed and built Pacific Patrol Boats have served as an important contribution to the south Pacific.

During this podcast, Jones will discuss Australia's contribution to the PPB ranging from the original design and construction phase, through to the existing training, maintenance and sustainment programs keeping the vessels and crews capable in the current operating environment.

Jones and Tarrant will also cover the rationale behind supporting the PPB project and the similar guidance behind introducing the platforms in the 1980s, the expansion of the program with the introduction of the Guardian Class vessels and the addition of Timor-Leste into the program.

They will also discuss the role the Australian Maritime College, part of the University of Tasmania, plays in supporting the development of both Pacific and Australian capability to train, develop and maintain skills across leadership, maintenance, administration and all the facets needed to run a modern naval vessel.

Enjoy the podcast,

The Defence Connect team