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yesterday

Austal Wins A$1.03 Billion Contract To Build 18 Army Landing Craft In Western Australia

The award marks the first vessel program under Australia’s Strategic Shipbuilding Agreement, signaling a push for continuous, sovereign construction at Henderson.

Illustration of the Landing Craft Medium (LCM) (Screenshot from Austal video)

Overview

  • Austal’s subsidiary, Austal Defence Australia, will complete detailed design and construction at the Henderson shipyard in Western Australia.
  • Construction of the first Landing Craft Medium is slated to begin in 2026, with the final, 18th vessel scheduled for delivery in 2032.
  • The steel craft are intended for the Australian Army and are specified to carry loads up to 80 tonnes.
  • The contract is issued under the Strategic Shipbuilding Agreement signed in August 2025 and is described by Austal as the first vessel construction program under that framework.
  • Austal says the program will support the Henderson Defence Precinct and national suppliers and sits within a pilot that also references Landing Craft Heavy.