iscover
Australian-owned maritime engineering company Birdon has signed a $125 million contract to design and build one prototype and 15 amphibious vehicles – logistics for the Australian Army.
The fleet of amphibious vehicles will replace the Australian Army’s ageing Lighter Amphibious Resupply Cargo vehicle, under the LAND 8710 Littoral Manoeuvre Program.
The new vehicles are expected to significantly enhance the Australian Defence Force’s amphibious capabilities with improved speed, safety, reliability and performance.
Birdon chief executive Jamie Bruce said the AV-L contract strengthens Australia’s sovereign defence capability and showcases Birdon’s leadership in innovative maritime and automotive engineering excellence.
“The project reflects Birdon’s commitment to delivering Defence-ready solutions tailored to Australia’s unique operating environments. It builds on our proven expertise in integrated design, engineering, logistics, and construction,” Bruce said.
The AV-L design integrates cutting-edge technologies to deliver superior performance across both land and sea. It is engineered to operate as a deep-sea vessel capable of reliable surf zone transitions, while also meeting Australian road safety regulations for on-land mobility.
Designed to withstand Australia’s harsh environmental conditions, the AV-L can sustain immersion in corrosive saltwater, far exceeding the limitation of most amphibious vehicles. It is built to perform in extreme humidity, high temperatures, rough surf zones and different beach landing zones, ensuring operational readiness in diverse terrains and climates.
The vehicle’s advanced propulsion and steering systems combine water jet and dynamic drive train technologies, enabling seamless transitions between marsh, clay and surf environments. Enhanced in-water manoeuvrability, improved speed and responsive reversing performance allow for agile operations, including rapid rescues in emergency scenarios.
Operator safety is central to the AV-L’s design. It features a system that automatically detects and adjusts for wheel bogging and slipping, providing the traction needed to exit dangerous wave zones quickly. Shock-absorbing seating and comfort features reduce operator fatigue, while front and rear steering, automatic tyre inflation and self-levelling suspension with ride height control further enhance safety during high-risk missions.
The AV-L includes a modular payload system with a deck crane, advanced fire safety measures and a reverse flush system to clear debris from the jet intake. These features ensure the vehicle is not only mission-ready but also adaptable to a wide range of defence and humanitarian applications.
All AV-L vehicles will be constructed at Birdon’s shipbuilding yard in Port Macquarie on the NSW Mid North Coast. Coupled with Birdon’s ongoing investment in growing Australia’s maritime engineering and defence industries, the AV-L project will support local job creation and skills development in regional Australia.
