Australia Signs Amphibious Ship Contract

Marine Log has the story.

Australian Prime Minister John Howard today announced the signing of a contract with Tenix, worth about A$3.1 billion (US$2.78 billion) over eight years, two build two large amphibious ships fo the Royal Australian Navy.

The first ship, HMAS Canberra, will be delivered in 2013 and the second, HMAS Adelaide, in 2015.

The ships are based on a LHD design from Spain's Navantia and their hulls will be built in Spain.

Prime Minister Howard said the "27,000-tonne ships will greatly enhance Australia's ability to deploy forces when necessary in our region or beyond, and to provide assistance in time of natural disaster. Using their integrated helicopters and watercraft, each vessel will be able to land approximately 1,000 personnel, along with their vehicles, the new Abrams tanks, artillery and supplies. They will also be equipped with medical facilities, including two operating theatres and a hospital ward, and will be capable across the full spectrum of maritime operations, including aid to the civil community in times of natural disaster at home or abroad."

This is timely. The stack of stuff I want to blog on is piled with topics specific to expeditionary warfare and how platforms with large aviation facilities and a well deck, in any number of roles, are ideal for meeting naval requirements in the 21st century. I see this purchase as brilliant for the RAN, and a major event in the steady increase of naval power taking place among a number of nations in the Pacific.

If you are looking for more information, check out the media kit.