Australia signs amphibious ship contract

The Australian government has signed a contract with Tenix, worth about A$3.1 billion ($2.78 billion) over eight years, to build two large amphibious ships for the Royal Australian Navy. The first ship, HMAS Canberra, will be delivered in 2013 and the second, HMAS Adelaide, in 2015.

The 27,000 tonne ships are based on a LHD design from Spain’s Navantia and their hulls will be built in Spain. In addition to carrying troops and their vehicles, the newbuildings will also be equipped with medical facilities, including two operating theatres and a hospital ward, and will be capable across the full spectrum of maritime operations, including aid to the civil community in times of natural disaster at home or abroad.

The construction of the superstructure and the majority of the fit-out, worth approximately A$500 million to Australian industry, will occur in Melbourne. At its peak the Tenix workforce will grow to over 1,500 from its current 1,000. Combat system work in Adelaide will bring up to A$100 million to the South Australian economy. Other states will also benefit.