Tenix, ADI eye Australias amphibious ship project

Australian defence companies Tenix and ADI have unveiled plans to join international shipbuilders in bidding to build the navy’s next generation of amphibious landing ships. Tenix Defence said it would join forces with Spanish shipbuilder NAVANTIA to compete in a joint-venture for the $1.5 billion contract while ADI will team up with French-based Thales-DCN joint venture company, ARMARIS, to offer the DCN Mistral ship design.

Under the government’s timetable, tenders will be invited in the second quarter of this year with the new amphibious vessels to enter service around 2012. There’s already strong competition between states to win some or all of this lucrative work.

The new vessels will be able to transport up to 1,000 personnel and will feature six landing spots for troop-lift and armed reconnaissance helicopters. They will also be able to carry up to 150 vehicles including the army’s new M1A1 Abrams tanks.

The government opted to restrict its choice to either the 27,000 tonne Spanish Navantia or the 22,000 tonne French Armaris Mistral.