Army’s ability to fight and win in the littoral is one step closer with the signing of a $4 billion agreement for the construction of eight landing craft heavy (LCH) vessels. 

The LCH program accelerates Army’s transformation in support of the 2024 National Defence Strategy (NDS) and the 2024 Naval Shipbuilding and Sustainment Plan.

Based on the Damen Naval Landing Ship Transport 100-class design, the LCH will be able to transport more than 500 tonnes to manoeuvre, project and sustain land forces across the Indo‑Pacific during operations and disaster relief missions.

Chief of Army Lieutenant General Simon Stuart said the new vessels underpinned Army’s transformation to deliver land power where it matters most: in the littoral, defined simply as the part of the country near the coast. 

“Consistent with the NDS, and in an increasingly complex strategic environment, Army is rapidly transforming to optimise for littoral manoeuvre paired with long‑range strike capabilities,” Lieutenant General Stuart said.

“These vessels will allow us to operate across the beaches, rivers, coastal and jungle environments that define our region, and will shape future conflict.”

'Our future littoral fleet, along with Army’s combined‑arms land system, make us more lethal and survivable, strengthening our ability to hold adversaries at risk and to secure strategic terrain.'

The landing craft will provide the reach and lift to manoeuvre Army’s modernised combined-arms land system, from Abrams main battle tanks and high mobility artillery rocket systems (HIMARS) to Boxer combat reconnaissance vehicles and Redback infantry fighting vehicles. 

Lieutenant General Stuart said the fleet, crewed by a specialised workforce, would enable rapid manoeuvre, concentrated effects and sustained long-range strike and air defence in support of the ADF’s joint force.

“Our future littoral fleet, along with Army’s combined‑arms land system, make us more lethal and survivable, strengthening our ability to hold adversaries at risk and to secure strategic terrain,” he said.

 “We are working with the Royal Australian Navy and industry to accelerate training pathways for our littoral warfighters – from maritime warfare officers to marine technicians – ensuring crews will be skilled, safe and ready.”

The build tasking statement for the eight LCH was signed with Austal Defence Australia, at Henderson in Western Australia.

Construction is scheduled to begin later this year and all eight vessels are expected to be delivered by 2038. 

This announcement follows the execution of the $1 billion Design and Build Tasking statement for 18 landing craft medium vessels, under the pilot program for the Strategic Shipbuilding Agreement.

The 26 vessels represent the largest recapitalisation of Army’s littoral capability since the Second World War.