The Papua New Guinea Defence Force last week celebrated the commissioning of its’ second Australian gifted Guardian Class Patrol Boat HMPNGS Rochus Lokinap at the Lombrum Naval Base in Manus Province.
The vessel is the second of four Guardian-class Patrol Boats to be delivered to PNGDF under the Pacific Patrol Boat Replacement Project which is part of the Australian Government’s Pacific Maritime Security Program.
It follows the delivery of the HMPNGS Ted Diro in December 2018.
The navy vessel was named after former Commander of the Papua New Guinea Defence Force from 1987 to 1992, Brigadier General Rochus Lokinap.
Deputy Chief of Defence Force (PNGDF) Commodore Philip Polewara along with the Australian Head of Mission officially commissioned the navy vessel.