Damen Shipyards Group’s Landing Ship Transport 100 (LST100) design has been chosen as the preferred option for the Australian Defence Force’s Landing Craft Heavy programme.
This decision marks an important step in the development of a littoral fleet, creating 1,100 direct jobs and more than 2,000 indirect jobs under the continuous naval shipbuilding plan in Western Australia.
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The acquisition of new littoral manoeuvre capabilities and infrastructure to align with the National Defence Strategy has been prioritised by the government.
This announcement marks the transformation of the Australian Army towards a focus on littoral manoeuvre and long-range strike capabilities.
The LST100 is expected to play a crucial role in this restructuring and re-posture.
Alongside landing craft medium and amphibious vehicles, LST100 is expected to support a denial strategy, enabling deployment and sustainment of land forces with long-range strike capabilities in littoral environments.
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By GlobalDataAustralian shipbuilder Austal will construct eight landing craft heavy vessels, based on the LST100, at the Henderson Shipyard in Western Australia, pending successful commercial negotiations and performance validation.
Austal chief executive Paddy Gregg said: “Austal looks forward to constructing this important new capability for Australia, following the anticipated finalisation of the Strategic Shipbuilding Agreement and commencement of the landing craft medium contract in 2025.”
The LST100 design features a 3,900t displacement, measuring 100m in length and 16m in width.
It is designed to operate with other vessels for tasks such as troop insertion, logistics movements, and humanitarian assistance.
The vessel can carry more than 500t of military vehicles and equipment, including six Abrams Tanks, 11 Redback infantry fighting vehicles, or 26 HIMARS.
Construction of the first landing craft heavy is anticipated to commence in 2026.
Defence Industry and Capability Delivery Minister Pat Conroy said: “Importantly, these vessels will be built in Australia, from Australian steel. This not only underscores the Albanese Government’s commitment to keep Australians safe but also to a safer future made in Australia.”
Funding for these new littoral manoeuvre vessels is part of the Integrated Investment Programme (2024-2034).
It is aimed at expanding the Australian industrial base and supply chains, as well as creating highly skilled jobs.
Earlier this year, Damen Shipyards Group, in collaboration with the Portuguese Navy, announced the launch of a new ship design to meet modern defence and security demands.
