Australia's Birdon wins amphibious vehicle contract

An artist's impression of the Amphibious Vehicle – Logistics (AV-L) Birdon will build for the Australian Army. (Birdon)

Australian firm Birdon has signed a contract with the Australian Department of Defence (DoD) to produce new logistics amphibious vehicles for the Australian Army, the company announced on 14 January.

Under the AUD125 million (USD84 million) deal, Birdon said it will design and build one prototype and 15 vehicles under the Land 8710 Phase 1B Littoral Manoeuvre programme. Birdon said the new vehicle would be known as Amphibious Vehicle – Logistics (AV-L).

The company told Janes on 15 January that the new AV-L will have a payload capacity of 4.7 tonnes and a top speed on land and water of 55 km/h and 9.5 kt respectively. The AV-L's range on land is 800 km and on water is 80 n miles. A spokesperson for the company did not disclose details about the AV-L delivery schedule, citing commercial sensitivities.

In a press release, Birdon said all the AV-L vehicles will be built at its shipyard in Port Macquarie, on the coast of New South Wales. In operation with the Australian Army, the AV-L will replace the service's 5 tonne Lighter Amphibious Resupply Cargo vehicle (LARC-V), which have been in service several decades.

Janes data show that the army currently operates 11 LARC-Vs. The vehicles are operated by the Australian Army's 10th Force Support Battalion, which is based at Lavarack Barracks in Townsville, Queensland. This unit will also operate the new AV-Ls.