Royal Australian Navy Discussions and Updates 2.0

[OldNavy63]

Government announces Damen LST-100 selected for Army Landing Craft Heavy.

Government announces next-gen Army Landing Craft Heavy

Minister for Defence Industry and Capability Delivery, Pat Conroy has announced the selection of the preferred option for the Australian Defence Force’s Landing Craft Heavy under a program that will bolster national defence by establishing a new littoral fleet.

www.defenceconnect.com.au

Hot off the press, Austal to build 8 x Damen LST-100 at Henderson WA probably commencing in 2026. Displacing 3,900 tonnes and capable of carrying six Abrams MBT, 11 Reback IFV or 26 HIMARS.

A decent size, the former HMAS Tobruk was around 6,000 FL tons.

 

[Morgo]

Government announces Damen LST-100 selected for Army Landing Craft Heavy.

Government announces next-gen Army Landing Craft Heavy

Minister for Defence Industry and Capability Delivery, Pat Conroy has announced the selection of the preferred option for the Australian Defence Force’s Landing Craft Heavy under a program that will bolster national defence by establishing a new littoral fleet.

www.defenceconnect.com.au

Hot off the press, Austal to build 8 x Damen LST-100 at Henderson WA probably commencing in 2026. Displacing 3,900 tonnes and capable of carrying six Abrams MBT, 11 Reback IFV or 26 HIMARS.

A decent size, the former HMAS Tobruk was around 6,000 FL tons.

This is excellent news. Seems to be likely to be a very capable ship.

 

[Going Boeing]

A fleet of 8 will add a significant capability to the ADF. With such a large coastline, these are necessary to deploy our limited resources.

I hope that these vessels are crewed by RAN personnel.

screenshot courtesy of Damen.com

 

[ADMk2]

A fleet of 8 will add a significant capability to the ADF. With such a large coastline, these are necessary to deploy our limited resources.

I hope that these vessels are crewed by RAN personnel.

screenshot courtesy of Damen.com

View attachment 52028

I am sure there will be some “joint” positions but these are Army vessels, to be operated by Army’s new littoral warfare regiments.

 

[Richo99]

I am sure there will be some “joint” positions but these are Army vessels, to be operated by Army’s new littoral warfare regiments.

Interestingly, the ministers announcement did not explicitly confirm they were army (or navy) vessels. I suspect (and this is dangerous) that the sensible decision will be made to commission these into the RAN, and that these will not only be LCH replacements, but also, effectivly, the Choules replacement.

 

[Reptilia]

Interestingly, the ministers announcement did not explicitly confirm they were army (or navy) vessels. I suspect (and this is dangerous) that the sensible decision will be made to commission these into the RAN, and that these will not only be LCH replacements, but also, effectivly, the Choules replacement.

Never know, with Damen now partnered, we could see 1 or more Enforcer LPDs or MultiRole support ships replacing Choules.

 

[Redlands18]

Never know, with Damen now partnered, we could see 1 or more Enforcer LPDs replacing Choules.

I would have a guess that once we have a couple of L-100s in service the RAN will retire the Choules without replacement to help crew the Frigates and SSNs.

 

[Redlands18]

Interestingly, the ministers announcement did not explicitly confirm they were army (or navy) vessels. I suspect (and this is dangerous) that the sensible decision will be made to commission these into the RAN, and that these will not only be LCH replacements, but also, effectivly, the Choules replacement.

It is a Land Project (Land8710) and that normally indicates Army.

 

[Reptilia]

It is a Land Project (Land8710) and that normally indicates Army.

Picture released by defence says different. Joint crew probably correct.
Homeport-Cairns(Navy) to Townsville(Army)?

 

[Stampede]

I am sure there will be some “joint” positions but these are Army vessels, to be operated by Army’s new littoral warfare regiments.

Is there any info as to the composition of the three Littoral Lift Groups.

Is the role to provide crew and maintainers solely for the LCM Heavy and Medium plus other intended watercraft

Or are they the above , plus the skill sets to be found in 2RAR.

I assume these are large regimental sized units rather than Sqn / Coy sized groups.

The establishment of such a units may account for the reduction in other areas of Army

Cheers S