Albanese government fast-tracks construction of 18 Medium Landing Craft.

According to information published by the Australian DoD on July 23, 2024, the Albanese Government has announced the acceleration of the build for 18 medium landing craft.
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Artist rendering of Medium Landing Craft. (Picture source: Birdon)

The first medium landing craft, designed by Birdon and constructed by Austal at the Henderson Shipyard in Western Australia, is scheduled for delivery in 2026. This initiative is part of a broader strategy involving the construction of up to eight heavy landing craft at the same shipyard.

These vessels are crucial for the Army’s shift towards littoral maneuver capabilities. They will support strategies aimed at deploying and maintaining modernized land forces with extended-range land and maritime strike capabilities throughout the region.

The Landing Craft Medium, with a range of up to 2000 nautical miles when paired with the Landing Craft Heavy, can transport up to 90 tonnes. This capacity is equivalent to four High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS), one main battle tank, or one infantry fighting vehicle and two Bushmasters.

These capabilities are on par with large aircraft such as the C-17 Globemaster. Additionally, these landing craft will be supported by Amphibious Vehicle Logistics, capable of navigating challenging beach and waterway conditions.

Comparison between the future landing craft and its predecessor

The new medium landing craft can carry up to 70 tons, exceeding the LCM-8's capacity of approximately 54 tons. This increase allows for the transportation of larger military assets. Speed and maneuverability are also improved. While the LCM-8's maximum speed is around 9 knots, the new landing craft are designed to achieve higher speeds.

The new medium landing craft can travel up to 500 nautical miles, significantly more than the LCM-8's range of around 190 nautical miles. The heavy landing craft boasts an even more impressive range of up to 2,500 nautical miles, enabling long-distance and extended-duration missions.

Speed and maneuverability are also improved. While the LCM-8's maximum speed is around 9 knots, the new landing craft are designed to achieve higher speeds.

The operational roles of these new landing craft are broadened significantly. While the LCM-8 was primarily used for short-range transport in amphibious operations, the new craft support a wider range of missions, from rapid deployment of heavy armor and artillery to logistical support and extended littoral operations.