On Friday, February 20, Austal Defence Australia and Damen Shipyards Group signed a contract to support the local construction of Landing Ship Transport (LST) 100 vessels for the Australian Defence Force. According to the agreement, Damen will provide the design and necessary licenses, allowing Austal to build the vessels at its shipyard in Henderson, Western Australia.
The signing ceremony took place at the Australian Marine Complex Common User Facility (AMC CUF) in Henderson, attended by industry and government representatives. This highlights the significance of the program for Australia’s defense and industrial capabilities.
This contract follows the announcement made by the Commonwealth of Australia in November 2024, where the LST 100 was chosen as the preferred design for the Australian Defence Force’s Landing Craft Heavy (LCH) program after a competitive bidding process.
Proven and Trusted Design
The selection of the LST 100 design was based on its strong operational record and successful service history. An earlier model has already been built and delivered, and its performance has led to further international interest, including being chosen by NAVSEA for the United States Navy.
In recent years, defense organizations have increasingly turned to established vessel designs to lower risks and speed up delivery times. By building on platforms with proven operational success, these organizations can reduce technical uncertainties, shorten development periods, and focus on quick deployment of capabilities.
In Australia, Austal will build these vessels under a fifteen-year Strategic Shipbuilding Agreement with the Commonwealth. A total of eight Landing Craft Heavy vessels are scheduled to be delivered over the next twelve years, with construction set to begin later this year.
The vessels will be built in Henderson using Austal facilities and the AMC CUF, located 23 kilometers south of Perth. The complex, which currently supports the local economy, is receiving major upgrades to facilitate large-scale defense shipbuilding projects in the future.
Enhancing Littoral Capabilities
The Landing Craft Heavy program supports the Australian Army’s contributions to the 2024 National Defence Strategy. This includes improving the Army’s ability to conduct agile, distributed, and littoral operations as part of an integrated force. The new vessels will help the Army project, sustain, and support land forces across Australia’s northern approaches and the wider region, enhancing a responsive and resilient national defense posture.
Damen is proud to contribute its expertise to this Australian shipbuilding project, which will enhance capabilities, promote sustainability, drive regional development, and strengthen the Australian Defence Force’s littoral capabilities.
Wide-ranging Operational Role
Each vessel will measure 100 meters by 16 meters and can carry over 500 tonnes of military vehicles and equipment. In addition to supporting amphibious operations, these ships will enable deployment, sustainment, logistics movements, and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief missions.
Building a Strong Partnership
Damen Regional Director Oceania Rabien Bahadoer stated: “It has been a pleasure to collaborate closely with Austal during this process. Through open, transparent, and constructive partnership, we have laid a strong foundation for a program that delivers lasting value for Western Australia and enhances Australia’s defense capability.”
Speaking at the signing event, Damen Area Director Asia Pacific Michiel Hendrikx added: “We are thankful for the chance to partner with Austal and our Australian associates on this important program. Globally, we pursue long-term cooperation with strong local shipbuilders, combining our expertise, mutual respect, and a commitment to quality. This approach helps us contribute to sustainable national shipbuilding ecosystems while learning and growing alongside our partners. We are confident that this collaboration will meet the Australian Army’s operational needs for years to come, and we are proud to be part of Australia’s shipbuilding future.”
Damen Shipyards Group - Oceans of Possibilities
Damen Shipyards Group has been operating for over ninety-five years, providing maritime solutions worldwide through the design, construction, conversion, maintenance, and repair of ships and their components. By integrating systems, we create innovative, high-quality platforms that offer our customers maximum value.
Our core values are fellowship, craftsmanship, entrepreneurship, and stewardship. We aim to become the world’s most sustainable shipbuilder through digitalization, standardization, and the serial construction of our innovative vessels using circular materials.
Damen operates 35 shipyards and 20 other companies across 20 countries, supported by a global sales and service network. We deliver around 100 vessels each year, with a total production value exceeding 3 billion euros and employing approximately 12,500 people. In everything we do, we strive to have a positive impact on the local environment and society.