Pacific Patrol Boat Programme (1987–present)
Australia began supplying patrol boats to Pacific Island nations in the 1980s, extending the fleet through the current Guardian-class vessels. According to Minister Conroy, Australia now provides these boats to almost every Pacific nation under the Pacific Maritime Surveillance Program.
Pacific states gained crewed patrol capability to police fisheries and smuggling waters they could not watch alone.
Established Australia as the region's primary maritime security provider, a role the Bluebottle drone deal now extends to uncrewed platforms.
The drone deal follows the same institutional pattern: Australia supplies maritime capability, Pacific nations operate it under their own command. Bluebottles add months-long endurance that crewed boats cannot match.