Austal partners up with Damen for Australian Army LST 100 build

LST 100 [Image: Damen]

Austal Defence Australia has contracted Damen Shipyards Group to support the local construction of the Landing Ship Transport (LST) 100 vessels that is to build under the AUD 1.029 billion (about USD 679 million) contract that it was recently awarded.

Under the agreement, Damen will provide the design and associated licences, enabling Austal to build the vessels at its Henderson shipyard in Western Australia.

The contract follows the Commonwealth of Australia’s announcement in November 2024 selecting the LST 100 as the preferred design for the Australian Defence Force’s Landing Craft Heavy (LCH) programme, following a competitive tender process. The LST 100 has also been selected by NAVSEA for the U.S. Navy’s Medium Landing Ship program.

Each LST 100 vessel, measuring 100 x 16 meters, will be capable of transporting more than 500 tonnes of military vehicles and equipment. In addition to supporting amphibious operations, the ships will enable deployment, sustainment, logistics movements, humanitarian assistance, and disaster relief missions.
Damen says that the LST 100 design was selected based on its proven operational credentials and successful service history. An earlier model has already been constructed and delivered, and its performance has contributed to further international adoption, including its selection by NAVSEA .

In recent years, says Damen, defense organisations have increasingly adopted proven and in-service vessel designs as a means of reducing program risk and accelerating delivery schedules. By building on established platforms with a demonstrated operational track record, defense organizations are able to minimize technical uncertainties, shorten development timelines, and focus on rapid capability deployment.

The Australian vessels will be built by Austal as part of the company’s fifteen-year Strategic Shipbuilding Agreement with the Commonwealth of Australia. A total of eight Landing Craft Heavy vessels will be delivered over a twelve-year period, with construction scheduled to commence later this year.
The vessels will be constructed in Henderson, Western Australia, using Austal facilities and the AMC CUF, located 23 kilometers south of Perth. The complex, which already plays an important role in supporting the local economy, is undergoing major upgrades in order to be able to facilitate large-scale defense shipbuilding projects in the coming years.

“We are grateful for the opportunity to work alongside Austal and our Australian partners on this important program,” said Michiel Hendrikx, area director, Asia Pacific, at Damen. “Around the world, we actively seek long-term cooperation with strong local shipbuilders and industrial partners, combining shared expertise, mutual respect, and a commitment to quality. This approach allows us to contribute to sustainable national shipbuilding ecosystems while learning from our partners and growing together. We are confident that this collaboration will support the Australian Army’s operational needs for many years to come, and we are proud to be part of Australia’s shipbuilding future.”