Key Developments
On 29 September 2026, the Minister for Defence announced that at least two Royal Australian Navy Arafura Class Offshore Patrol Vessels would be homeported at HMAS Cairns, supported by a A$250 million facilities expansion intended to strengthen northern operations and support North Queensland industry.
Key Statistics
- 2 or more Arafura Class Offshore Patrol Vessels to be homeported at HMAS Cairns
- A$250 million committed to expanding facilities at HMAS Cairns
- 770 workers reported on site for the HMAS Cairns expansion
- A$67.7 million in support linked to local businesses
Main Body
On 29 September 2026, the Minister for Defence announced that at least two Royal Australian Navy Arafura Class Offshore Patrol Vessels would be based at HMAS Cairns in North Queensland. The minister said the decision was linked to a A$250 million expansion of the base and was intended to improve naval operations in northern Australia.
The Minister for Defence said the HMAS Cairns works had 770 workers on site and had generated A$67.7 million in support for local businesses. The announcement placed the homeporting decision within a wider effort to build maritime sustainment capacity in Cairns and support Navy engagement with regional partners.
The basing decision followed other Australian defence measures focused on maritime cooperation and regional capability. On 21 September 2026, the Department of Defence said the Royal Australian Navy and Royal New Zealand Navy had signed Plan Tasman to improve cooperation in training, capability development and operational alignment. On 23 September 2026, the Minister for Defence said Australia had launched an online Defence Training Hub for Pacific defence personnel.
The practical significance of the Cairns decision was that it connected basing, maintenance capacity and regional engagement in northern Australia. According to the Minister for Defence, the homeporting plan was expected to strengthen Navy capability in the north while supporting jobs and industry in North Queensland.
