The Pacific Maritime Security Program (PMSP) is a comprehensive package of capability, infrastructure, sustainment, training and coordination designed to increase national and regional maritime security.

Following the release of the Defence Strategic Review in 2023, the Australian Government committed to enhance its investment in maritime security partnerships throughout the Pacific. This has enabled increased support to the PMSP, which is the cornerstone of Defence’s engagement in the Pacific. This strategic focus was re-affirmed in the 2024 and 2026 releases of the National Defence Strategy where ‘the Government will continue to partner with Pacific Island Countries to deliver maritime capabilities that are underpinned by through-life sustainment, training and regional coordination’ through the PMSP.

The PMSP builds on the 3 decades of success of the original Pacific Patrol Boat Program and extends Defence’s uninterrupted commitment to maritime security in the Pacific.

The PMSP represents a 30 year commitment by the Australian Government, and consists of the following components:

• 23 new Guardian-class Patrol Boats, 3 Landing Crafts, and other maritime assets
• a package of major maintenance and sustainment support, including infrastructure
• training for crews through the Royal Australian Navy and commercial providers
• embedded in-country Maritime Security and Technical Advisors to support safe and effective operations, vessel sustainment and mentorship. 
• region-wide contracted aerial surveillance to enable targeted, intelligence-informed patrols to respond to transnational, serious and organised crime (TSOC).
• enhanced regional coordination and communication among PMSP partner nations.

Australia has delivered 23 Guardian-class Patrol Boats and 3 Landing Crafts to 12 pacific partners under the PMSP. Upon gifting to PMSP nations, these vessels become the sovereign asset of those partner nations.

Training programs

The PMSP aims to provide the skills, knowledge and attributes for PMSP partner nations to safely and effectively operate, manage and maintain their sovereign asset. PMSP training achieves this through an approach to training which embraces individual and collective training approaches.

Individual training is generally provided through the Pacific Maritime Training Services program delivered by TAFE QLD, and through Royal Australian Navy (RAN) Single Service Training. These individual training programs are complimented by collective and mobile training offerings from RAN Sea Training Unit, other Australian Government Organisations, such as Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Australian Federal Police, Australian Border Force and Australian Fisheries Management Authority, and likeminded partners – France, Japan, New Zealand and the United States. The training program also encompasses training sponsored by PACMAR but delivered by Pacific regional training institutes and other local suppliers.

Aerial surveillance

The Aerial Surveillance Program (ASP) bolsters national and regional maritime security through the provision of aerial surveillance assets and capabilities to support targeted, intelligence-informed patrols. The ASP supports improved interoperability between Pacific island nations.

Members of the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA), have access to the ASP services which assists in addressing national and regional maritime security challenges.

In 2022, the Australian Government announced it would double funding from the 2024–25 financial year. The Enhanced Aerial Surveillance Program (EASP) includes enhanced fixed-wing aerial surveillance capabilities, uncrewed aerial vehicles, and satellite surveillance capability.

In 2024, the PMSP implemented the first phase of the EASP through a funding contribution towards the satellite surveillance capability provided under the Quad Indo-Pacific Partnership for Maritime Domain Awareness.

This new satellite surveillance capability is operationally managed by the FFA and empowers FFA member nations to better protect the vast expanses of their Exclusive Economic Zones from maritime threats.

Armaments on Guardian-class Patrol Boats

At the request of the Governments of Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands, Australia is arming their Guardian-class Patrol Boats with 12.7 mm machine guns and delivering a comprehensive support package of training and through-life maintenance.

Australia is committed to assisting Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands to meet current and emerging maritime security challenges and priorities, including illegal, unregulated and unreported (IUU) fishing and TSOC.

The armaments are commensurate with capabilities present on Australian Border Force and Australian Defence Force Cape-class Patrol Boats. It provides continuity with the armament capabilities of their Pacific-class Patrol Boats, which were previously armed.

The armaments are provided under bilateral arrangements that reflect all parties’ commitments to ensure appropriate safeguards are in place and ensure compliance with relevant domestic and international obligations.

Defence will provide a comprehensive support package to safely integrate the armaments, in accordance with Australia’s domestic and legal requirements. The package includes appropriate legal training and professional advice from the Defence Cooperation Program.