Australia has awarded Austal Defence Australia an approximately 4-billion Australian dollar ($2.82-billion) contract to construct eight Landing Craft Heavy (LCH) vessels for the Australian Army.
Construction will take place in Henderson, Western Australia, with the final vessel scheduled for delivery in 2038.
The award forms part of the Australian Army’s Land 8710 program to strengthen the army’s littoral maneuver capability, which also includes the construction of 18 Landing Craft Medium (LCM) vessels.
Austal secured a separate 1.029-billion Australian dollar ($681.4 million) contract to build the LCM vessels in December, with final delivery expected in 2032.
Collectively, the contracts constitute a substantial investment in Australia’s sovereign shipbuilding capability and are expected to support more than 1,100 direct jobs and over 2,000 indirect jobs, particularly in Western Australia.
“This contract represents another significant investment in Australia’s sovereign shipbuilding capability – and Austal Defence Australia is ready to deliver these highly capable vessels to support the ADF’s (Australian Defence Force) operational requirements,” Austal Limited Chief Executive Officer, Paddy Gregg, said.
Landing Craft Heavy
Based on the Damen Naval Landing Ship Transport 100 design, the 100-metre (328-foot) vessel is expected to displace around 3,900-4,000 tonnes. It will be capable of carrying more than 200 soldiers, along with up to six M1A2 SEP v3 Abrams main battle tanks or nine Redback infantry fighting vehicles.
Alternatively, the vessels will be able to transport more than 500 tonnes of long-range precision strike weapons and other equipment by sea, significantly enhancing the ADF’s amphibious operations as well as humanitarian assistance and disaster relief capabilities.
“The Albanese Government is delivering continuous naval shipbuilding in the West, and the construction of landing craft vessels at Henderson will be the first step,” Australia’s Deputy Prime Minister, Richard Marles, said.
“These contracts will support thousands of direct and indirect jobs, while also equipping the Australian Army with the capabilities it needs for littoral maneuver and to undertake long-range land and maritime strike.
“An increased focus on littoral manoeuvre will enable the ADF to respond more effectively in our region and keep Australians safe.”
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