Canberra has officially announced a substantial contract with Austal Limited, valued at 1.029 billion Australian dollars (approximately $681.4 million), to manufacture 18 Landing Craft Medium (LCM) vessels for the Australian Army. These craft are crucial for amphibious operations, specifically designed to facilitate the transport of military personnel and equipment between ships and shore during beachhead landings.
Production is set to take place at Austal’s defense segment facility located in Henderson, Western Australia. The project is expected to commence in 2026, with the final delivery of the vessels slated for completion by 2032. Austal Limited’s CEO, Paddy Gregg, emphasized the significance of this contract, stating that it will enhance Australia’s shipbuilding capabilities, allowing for the construction of more complex vessels in the future, thereby fostering sovereign shipbuilding capabilities within the nation.
The Australian Department of Defence has outlined the specifications for the LCMs. Constructed primarily from steel, each vessel will possess a formidable payload capacity of up to 90 metric tons (176,370 pounds). This impressive capacity allows each craft to transport a range of military assets including four High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS), a single main battle tank, or an infantry fighting vehicle along with two Bushmaster vehicles. This weight limit is comparable to that of large military transport aircraft like the C-17 Globemaster.
Once operational, the LCMs will be supported by Amphibious Vehicle Logistics, which are specially designed for deployment in coastal zones and small waterways, particularly those that may be obstructed by enemy defenses or debris.
This initiative is part of the broader LAND 8710 program, which aims to modernize and enhance the Australian Defence Force’s capacity for amphibious operations, enabling more effective insertion and extraction of troops, vehicles, and weaponry. Additionally, the contract will incorporate the delivery of eight Landing Craft Heavy (LCH), which are larger vessels with a substantial payload capacity, capable of accommodating the equivalent of 26 HIMARS, six main battle tanks, or 11 infantry fighting vehicles.
Austal will also oversee the development of the LCHs at its Henderson facility, with construction activities to begin alongside the LCMs in 2026. This dual initiative underscores the Australian government’s commitment to advancing its military capabilities and fostering domestic shipbuilding expertise.
