DILI, 10 July 2023 (TATOLI)– Australia will hand over two patrol boats to the Timor-Leste Denfese Force (F-FDTL) in mid-2024, said Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong.
According to Minister Wong, Australia should have handed over the two ships in July this year, July 7, 2023, but the construction process hasn’t already been determined, so it will be shifted to next year.
“Australia is committed to handing over the donation of two Guardian Class ships to Timor-Leste in mid-2024, for use in sea operations in Timor-Leste,” Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong told TATOLI at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation office, Kelapa Beach, Dilly.
The two types of Guardian Class Ships are a donation from the Australian Government following the agreement signed by the Former Minister of Defense of Timor-Leste, Filomeno Paixao, and Former Australian Ambassador to Timor Leste Peter Robert, in 2021 where Australia will donate two Guardian Class Model ships to Timor – Leste in july 2023.
At the same time, Timor-Leste sent 60 F-FDTL members to Australia to complete training in electrical installation, ship engineering, machine operation, ship communication, and other skills.
Hopefully, the preparation of human resources such as F-FDTL will become one of the human resources to operate the Two SGuardian Class Ships which will be donated by the Australian Government in the middle of 2024.
Journalist: Camilio de Sousa
Editor : Nelia B
