The vessels, also known as the Pacific Forum class or ASI 315 class, were built by Australian Shipbuilding Industries between 1985 and 1997. All 22 were donated, or "gifted," to the militaries, coast guards and police forces of 12 South Pacific island countries that operate them for maritime security surveillance and fisheries protection.

Australia maintains the boats under its regional Pacific Patrol Boat Program started in 1985 following the declaration by Pacific island states of a 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zone, under the U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea.

Countries operating the boats include Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Cook Islands, Marshall Islands, Vanuatu, Fiji and the Federated States of Micronesia.

In 2000, Australia extended the program for 25 years up to 2027. BAE Systems has been the contractor providing maintenance.

The current round of discussions for support services are the result of an independent internal review conducted because of a tenderer complaint regarding the initial tender process, Australia's military procurement agency Defense Materiel Organization said.

In October the DMO selected DMS Maritime as the preferred tenderer for the $49.3 million contract, a DMO statement said. The work was to be carried out at DMS Maritime's shipyards in Cairns, Queensland state, early this year.

The contract was for five years with options to extend it for 12 years. DMS Maritime said it expected would create up to 15 jobs directly and up to 20 jobs indirectly while refit activities are completed.

Neither the DMO nor DMS Maritime gave details about the complaint regarding the original tender.

In 2000 Australia's Minister of Defense John Moore announced the extension of the program that would cost Australia around $350 million. Part of the life-extension program would be major upgrades to the vessels. Moore said at the time the extension "represents Australia's most significant defense commitment to the South Pacific and illustrates Australia's strong commitment to meeting the security challenges of the region."

The 103-foot vessels have a draft of nearly 6 feet and displace 162 tons under full load. Speed is 20 knots and range is around 2,500 nautical miles at 12 knots. They carry various small arms and have a Furuno 1011 surface search radar.

The boats also are used in quarantine enforcement, search-and-rescue operations, disaster relief, medical evacuation support and general police work. Each country crews their boats and Australia's navy provides 32 resident maritime surveillance advisers and technical advisers to assist with boat operations and skills development.

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