The Armidale class is a class of patrol boats built for the Royal Australian Navy (RAN). Planning for a class of vessels to replace the fifteen Fremantle class patrol boats began in 1993 as a joint project with the Royal Malaysian Navy, but was cancelled when Malaysia pulled out of the process. The project was reopened in 1999 under the designation SEA 1444, with the RAN as the sole participant. Of the seven proposals tendered, the Austal Ships/Defence Maritime Services proposal for twelve vessels based on an enlarged Bay-class patrol boat was selected. The first vessel, HMAS Armidale, commissioned into the RAN in June 2005. Two additional patrol boats were ordered in 2005 to provide a dedicated patrol force for the North West Shelf Venture.

The Armidales are longer and heavier than their Fremantle class predecessors, with improved seakeeping ability and increased range, allowing them to reach Australia's offshore territories. The ships are multi-crewed, with three ship's companies available for every two vessels; this allows the patrol boats to spend more time at sea without cutting into sailors' rest or training time. During their early service life, there were problems with the fuel systems across the class, and a 20-bunk auxiliary accommodation compartment has been banned from use after toxic fumes were found in the compartment on at least two occasions.

All fourteen vessels were constructed by Austal Ships at Henderson, Western Australia, with the last entering service in February 2008. The Armidale class ships are operated by the Australian Patrol Boat Group, and based in Cairns and Darwin. They are primarily tasked with border protection, fisheries patrols, and the interception of unauthorised arrivals by sea, although two vessels are permanently assigned to protecting the oil and gas production facilities of the North West Shelf Venture. After extensive damage from an onboard fire, HMAS Bundaberg was decommissioned at the end of 2014. A fictional Armidale class boat, HMAS Hammersley, appears in the Australian military drama series Sea Patrol from the second season onwards.

About the kit:

This is the full resin kit. Waterline edition. All parts are cast in grey resin. We put as many details (water-tight doors, vent) as we can on the hull, so you can easily build a fantastic model with beautiful details. This is the most accurate and crispy Armidale class model in 1/700.The kit comes with one piece of PE set and the full decals of all 14 boats of the class. The full color instruction is included.