Birdon, an Australian maritime engineering company, has signed a US$125 million contract to design and build next-generation amphibious vehicles (AV-L) for the Australian Army.
The new fleet of amphibious vehicles will replace the aging Lighter Amphibious Resupply Cargo (LARC-V) vehicle currently used by the Army, significantly enhancing the amphibious capabilities of the Australian Defence Force.
“The project reflects Birdon’s commitment to delivering defense-ready solutions tailored to Australia’s unique operational environments,” said Jamie Bruce, CEO of Birdon.
According to him, the contract will strengthen the Army’s defense capability and also reinforce Birdon’s leadership in the fields of maritime innovation and automotive engineering excellence. “It builds on our proven experience in integrated design, engineering, logistics, and construction.”
Designed to withstand Australia’s harsh environmental conditions, the AV-L can endure immersion in corrosive saltwater far beyond the limitations of most amphibious vehicles.
It is built to operate in extreme humidity, high temperatures, rough surf zones, and varied beach landing areas, ensuring operational readiness across diverse terrains and climates.
The AV-L includes a modular payload system with a deck crane, advanced fire safety measures, and a reverse flushing system to clear debris from the jet intake.
With these attributes, the vehicle is not only ready for combat use but is also adaptable to a wide range of defense and humanitarian applications.
All AV-L vehicles will be built at Birdon’s shipbuilding facility in Port Macquarie, on the North Coast of New South Wales.
Photo: Birdon. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
Amphibious Vehicles – Logistics for the Australian Army. @BirdonGroup pic.twitter.com/iXecXYdz1H
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