[1][2] Propulsion machinery consisted of two 16-cylinder Paxman YJCM diesel engines, which supplied 3,460 shaft horsepower (2,580 kW) to the two propellers.

[1][2] The ships were designed with as many commercial components as possible: the Attacks were to operate in remote regions of Australia and New Guinea, and a town's hardware store would be more accessible than home base in a mechanical emergency.

[3] Aitape was laid down by Walkers Limited at Maryborough, Queensland,[4] launched on 6 July 1967 by Mrs. Paliau Maloat, the wife of the a Manus leader and politician,[5] and commissioned on 13 November 1967, four days before lead ship HMAS Attack.

[4] Aitape undertook sea trials with sister ship Attack off Sydney, before heading for Papua New Guinea and arriving at the RAN base HMAS Tarangau at Los Negros Island, Manus Province on 3 January 1968.

[5] Prior to the arrival of the Attack-class patrol boats, surveillance of PNG waters was conducted by small coastal craft and occasional visits by larger RAN warships, but the PNG Division was now able to chase and apprehend vessels suspected of illegal fishing.