Canberra has selected Austal Limited to build 18 Landing Craft Medium vessels for the Australian Army under a contract valued at 1.029 billion Australian dollars ($681.4 million).
Designed for amphibious operations, the LCMs will provide ship-to-shore transport for soldiers, vehicles, and heavy equipment during beach landings and expeditionary missions.
Manufacturing will be undertaken by Austal’s defense arm at its Henderson shipyard in Western Australia. The program is set to begin in 2026, with the final vessel expected to be delivered by 2032.
Australia’s Department of Defence has stated that the steel-constructed LCMs will be capable of carrying payloads of up to 90 metric tons (176,370 pounds). This capacity allows for the transport of four HIMARS units, one main battle tank, or a combination of one infantry fighting vehicle and two Bushmaster vehicles, aligning with the lift capacity of strategic airlifters such as the C-17 Globemaster.
In service, the LCMs will be supported by Amphibious Vehicle Logistics elements, enabling operations in shallow waters, coastal zones, and confined waterways where access may be restricted by obstacles or debris.
The acquisition is part of Australia’s LAND 8710 program, which seeks to enhance the Australian Defence Force’s ability to deploy and recover personnel and equipment in amphibious and littoral operations.
Alongside the LCMs, Austal will deliver eight Landing Craft Heavy vessels with significantly greater payload capacity, capable of transporting the equivalent of 26 HIMARS, six main battle tanks, or 11 infantry fighting vehicles.
Austal will oversee the development of both vessel classes at its Henderson facility, with construction of the LCH fleet also scheduled to commence in 2026.
