Page 6 - Australian Defence Magazine October 2021

DEFENCE TASMANIA – SPONSORED CONTENT
TASMANIA GROWS NZ MARKET WITH SALE OF TACTICAL WATERCRAFT
TASMANIAN COMPANY PFG HAS CRACKED OPEN THE CONVENTIONAL NAVAL SEABOAT MARKET SECURING THE CONTRACT TO PROVIDE THE ROYAL NEW ZEALAND NAVY (RNZN) WITH ADVANCED 12.5 METRE ‘SENTINEL’ VESSELS.
With ‘The Sentinel’ leading the way, PFG has just inked
their first major international defence contract, securing the New Zealand (NZ) tender to deliver multi-mission configurable Littoral Manoeuvre Craft (LMC). These sophisticated ‘next generation’ vessels will increase that nation’s capabilities in expeditionary reconnaissance, mine counter measures and short-range personnel and equipment transport.
PFG now join Taylor Bros Marine, Liferaft Systems Australia and Pivot Maritime International as highly specialist Tasmanian companies which have worked with the RNZN in recent years.
PFG (www.pfg-group.com.au) is a leading multi-sector, multi-platform technology-focussed manufacturing business with specialist skills and experience in the maritime industry. Various configurations of the operationally focussed and mission adaptable ‘Sentinel’ are already providing highly effective service to agencies
such as the Queensland Police,
Tasmania Police and the Western
Australian Department of Fire and
Emergency Services.
First unveiled in Sydney at the Pacific International Maritime Exposition in 2019, ‘The Sentinel’ is the culmination of 25 years of dedication by PFG to the maritime security and aquaculture sectors.
‘The Sentinel’ range offers a step change in areas of performance, whole-of life-cost, reliability, and operational availability. PFG’s product excellence has been formally recognised on multiple occasions over many years with more recent awards being ‘Ausmarines’ Best Patrol Boat in 2019 and Best RHIB Patrol Boat in 2020.
Ensuring a capability to effectively deliver current and future Defence requirements, PFG’s Defence Capability Advisory (DCA) Committee holds more than a century of combined operational experience. This very active committee includes two recently retired RAN Rear Admirals, and a mine warfare
and clearance diving specialist senior officer, that each bring significant active service; operational command experience; and, in depth warfare capability knowledge across the defence and maritime security domains.
‘The Sentinel’ was designed by Australian naval architects ‘One2three’ and with over 100 vessels currently in operational service, they are available in mission configurations of up to 15 metres in length.
The high-density polyethylene (HDPE) for vessel manufacture is a key capability that readily sets ‘The Sentinel’ apart from all watercraft of this size made from other materials. It has extraordinary strength, positive buoyancy; inherent stability; low radar and magnetic signature; non-corrosiveness; bio fouling resistance; ease of in-situ repair work; and shock absorbing characteristics.
“PFG now join Taylor Bros Marine, Liferaft Systems Australia and Pivot Maritime International as highly specialist Tasmanian companies which have worked with the RNZN in recent years”.
It is these virtues that
‘The Sentinel’ brings to a new generation of evolved fast military vessels, search and rescue vessels and support craft.
PFG CEO Robert Inches said PFG had designed and manufactured vessels that continue to operate 20 years after entering service.
“No other Australian company has the lineage of demonstrated proven performance in some of the harshest conditions. Like our own forces, the New Zealanders are a seagoing nation reliant on having the best and safest equipment for the worst conditions. We can and do supply that solution.” Mr Inches said.
“The recent PFG contract signing signals the beginning
of another exciting relationship between the New Zealand Defence Force and the Tasmanian Defence Industry. PFG’s Sentinal watercraft will enhance and deliver further capabilities to the RNZN’s Dive/Hydro vessel, the HMNZS Manawanui.”