A trial conducted with HMAS Adelaide this month has demonstrated Navy’s ability to move some of Army’s newest and heaviest land combat platforms. 

It was the first time Army’s next-generation M1A2 Abrams tanks, combat engineering vehicles and Block II Boxer combat reconnaissance vehicles embarked in a Royal Australian Navy ship to test their sea transportability, marking a significant milestone in the development of Australia’s littoral capability.

The trial paves the way for the vehicles to achieve their operational capability, ensuring they are ready for deployment.

Project Director Fundamental Inputs to Capability Colonel Ben Shepherd, of Capability Acquisition and Sustainment Group (CASG), said the milestone was critical in ensuring Army’s land combat systems were adaptable to Australia’s strategic environment.

“Testing their integration and mobility with the Navy’s [landing helicopter docks] LHDs demonstrates that we can move these vehicles rapidly and safely into areas where our forces are needed most,” Colonel Shepherd said.

'Land combat vehicles have proven critical to support regional security and protect our soldiers.'

The ability to transport armour by sea directly onto land allows Army to support amphibious missions, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations, and regional security tasks with greater speed and flexibility.

With its shallow draft, Adelaide is purpose-built to operate in ports and coastal waters inaccessible to larger vessels, making it an ideal platform for amphibious operations.

Director Land Combat Vehicle Program – Army Colonel David Hughes said it was important for Army’s combined-arms land system to be amphibious-capable and able to project into the littoral region. 

“Land combat vehicles have proven critical to support regional security and protect our soldiers,” Colonel Hughes said. 

“This activity proves that Army’s newest armoured vehicles are truly part of the integrated joint force, thanks to the hard work and training by the soldiers of the 3rd Brigade, and the excellent support by Navy and CASG. 

“This complements the amphibious activities by Army’s armoured force elements on Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025. This ensures that, wherever Australia’s interests are, Army can be there with the right capability at the right time.”