** Shares of Austal ASB.AX rise as much as 6.8% to A$6.67, their steepest rise since late-August

** Shipbuilder and defense contractor's Austal Ships receives a further contract extension for the construction of two additional Evolved Cape-class Patrol Boats for the Australian Border Force

** Award valued at over A$135 million ($89.26 million)

** Stock is up 106.5% YTD, including the session's moves

($1 = 1.5124 Australian dollars)

(Reporting by Anjali Singh in Bengaluru)

((anjali.singh2@thomsonreuters.com;))