Western Australian owned international shipbuilding company Strategic Marine has been contracted to provide high-speed patrol vessels for the Australian Federal Police.

The three 16 metre vessels will be manufactured for use by Indonesian authorities.

Minister for Home Affairs Brendan O'Connor says the construction of three high-speed patrol boats for the Indonesian National Police is well underway, as part of support from the Gillard Government to help tackle people smuggling in the region.

"The 16 metre patrol boats are worth almost $5 million and will help the Indonesian National Police respond to and deter people smuggling in the region," Mr O'Connor said.

"These high-speed patrol boats will be based at strategic locations across Indonesia as an active force in the ongoing fight against people smuggling," he said.

The vessels, expected to be delivered by June 2011, will be specifically designed for maritime environmental conditions experienced in Indonesia and surrounding waters with capability to pursue at high speed, intercept and board other vessels.

Superior hull performance and technology will allow for greater flexibility in operating and berthing, during both day and night operations, without compromising safety aspects.

Strategic Marine has a strong history of producing vessels for defence and police service contracts with over 240 maritime security vessels delivered to date world-wide.

Strategic Marine Chief Marketing Officer Terry O'Connor said the company's global capacity enabled it to provide world-class and economic ship building and repair solutions for the defence industry.

"This project illustrates the increased importance of effective maritime security and we anticipate there will be increased activity in this market as the threat of piracy and smuggling increases through many of the world&rsqu o;s vital shipping routes," Mr O'Connor said.

"We are excited to have been provided this opportunity by the Australian Federal Police and look forward to delivering world class patrol vessels, designed to take on the operational challenges faced by today's law enforcement and defence departments."

Strategic Marine is currently contracted for more than AU$120 million in orders at its yards in Australia, Vietnam, Mexico and Singapore.