Australia Approves 2 Finalist Designs for $2B Amphibious Ships Project

HMAS Manoora LPA (click to view full) The Australian government has approved the first stage of a $2 billion LHD Amphibious Ships project that will provide the Royal Australian Navy with two new multi-purpose ships that would have air support, amphibious assault, transport and command centre roles. They will replace the Navy’s two existing Kanimbla-Class LPAs (HMAS Kanimbla and HMAS Manoora) from about 2010, significantly upgrading Australia’s force projection capabilities. The government has now given first pass approval to the project and committed $29.8 million towards the Design Development Phase. The finalist ship designs include: * Spain’s Navantia has designed a new LHD ship at approximately 27,000 tonnes. * France’s Armaris is offering its Mistral-Class LHD ships with modifications for additional troop carrying capability, at approximately 22,000 tonnes. See also A study on the feasibility of local construction of an LHD/assault and command ship for the Royal Australian Navy [PDF] Navantia LHD Mockup(click to view full) Each ship will preferably have the ability to transport up to 1000 personnel, have six helicopter landing spots and provision for a mix of troop lift and armed reconnaissance helicopters. It will also be able to transport up to 150 vehicles including the new […]