On 23 July it was reported that the build of 18 medium landing craft for the Army’s new littoral fleet is being accelerated. The $2 billion project is expected to create 1,100 direct jobs and more than 2,000 indirect jobs under a program that will also deliver heavy landing craft as well as amphibious vehicles.
The first of the medium landing craft vessels, designed by Birdon and to be built by Austal at the Henderson Shipyard in Western Australia, is expected to be delivered in 2026. The local build of the medium landing craft is in addition to up to eight heavy landing craft which will also be built by Austal at Henderson.
In all the Commonwealth Government is investing $7 billion towards littoral manoeuvre vessels. The Government said “these vessels are an essential component of Army’s transformation and optimisation for littoral manoeuvre. They will support a strategy of denial which includes deploying and sustaining modernised land forces with long-range land and maritime strike capabilities across our region.”
The Landing Craft Medium will have a range of up to 2000 nautical miles. They will be capable of transporting up to 90 tonnes, equivalent to four High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS), or one main battle tank, or one infantry fighting vehicle and two Bushmasters. This is similar to the capacity of large aircraft, such as a C-17 Globemaster. These landing craft will be supported by the Amphibious Vehicle Logistics which can navigate over beaches and through waterways that may be clogged with obstacles and debris.
The Minister for Defence Industry, the Hon Pat Conroy said, “The Albanese Government has an unwavering commitment to safeguarding Australians and their national interests, which is why we are making a record investment in defence and modernising the ADF. Building Australia’s new fleet of landing craft is also part of the Government’s commitment to continuous naval shipbuilding in Western Australia and a future made in Australia. This pipeline of work will result in opportunities for the Australian defence industry and support a highly skilled shipbuilding workforce for years to come. These new vessels will enable the ADF to deploy and sustain land forces to beaches, rivers and ports in Australia and across our region, enhance our ability to work with regional military partners, and support communities across the Indo-Pacific with humanitarian and disaster relief operations.”
Separately, construction will begin next month of two aluminium Landing Craft Light (LCL) for the RAN. They will be built in Yamba by the Whiskey Project Group. The LCL will be initially embarked in the Pacific Support Vessel – ADV Reliant, replacing the long-serving LCVP. The new craft are to be delivered in the first half of 2025. Each LCL will be powered by triple 300hp diesel outboard motors and capable of 26 knots when fully loaded. The LCL will be able to carry 4.5 tonnes of cargo, including a light vehicle, containerised stores or up to 30 personnel. A bi-fold bow ramp allows for the transfer of cargo and people across a variety of shoreline terrain and beach conditions.
Sources: Department of Defence & The Whiskey Project
