In April 2016, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull announced that Austal had been selected to construct the vessels and in May 2016 a contract was signed for 19 Guardian-class vessels. An additional two vessels were offered to East Timor to be purchased at an agreed fixed price. This offer was subsequently accepted. The Guardian class is 39.5 m long, capable of travelling at and at possesses a , accommodates 23 people, carries a 6.35 m RHIB and has provision to be fitted with a 30 mm main gun and two 12.7 mm machine guns. The first vessel was launched on 29 May 2018 with completion expected in October 2018 and is to be gifted to Papua New Guinea.