With the aim of strengthening the amphibious capabilities of the Australian Army, a few days ago the award to Austal Defence Australia was officially confirmed for a contract valued at AUD 1.029 billion for the design and construction of 18 medium landing craft (Landing Craft Medium, LCM). This agreement, framed within the Strategic Shipbuilding Agreement (SSA), constitutes the first shipbuilding program promoted under this initiative.
The decision follows on from the announcements made in August 2025, when it was reported that Austal would move forward with the manufacture of new amphibious landing craft for the Royal Australian Navy under the LAND 8710 Program. This program seeks to strengthen the tactical and strategic mobility of Australian forces in amphibious operations, within a regional context marked by the growing relevance of the Indo-Pacific.
For his part, Gavin Stewart, Executive Director of Strategic Shipbuilding at Austal Defence Australia, stated that “Our team and the national supply chain are ready to deliver this essential amphibious capability for the Australian Army.”
The schedule foresees the start of construction of the first craft in 2026 and sets the delivery of the last one in 2032. With the capacity to transport heavy loads and operate in amphibious landing scenarios, the LCMs are expected to become a central element of Australia’s force projection doctrine.
Finally, Paddy Gregg, CEO of Austal Limited, stated that “This contract marks the beginning of an era of continuous shipbuilding in Henderson, cementing Australia’s sovereign capability to produce more complex vessels in the future.”
*Images used for illustrative purposes.
You may also like: Australia completed the transfer of the 49 pledged M1A1 Abrams tanks to the Armed Forces of Ukraine
