BMT and DNV partner to meet Australia’s heavy landing craft requirement
BMT has teamed up with DNV to offer Caimen 500 for Australia’s Project Land 8710 Phase 2. (Image: BMT)
Under Project Land 8710 Phase 2, Australia has been seeking to acquire an undisclosed number of Littoral Manoeuvre Vessels to replace the Balikpapan-class. The programme has an estimated value of AU$1.4 billion (US$910 million), with IOC slated for 2032.
UK company BNT has signed an MoU with maritime industry advisor DNV to offer the former’s Caimen 500 landing craft to meet the Australian Army’s Project Land 8710 Phase 2 Landing Craft – Heavy (LC-H) requirement.
Under the procurement, Australia has been seeking to acquire an undisclosed number of large littoral manoeuvre vessels to replace the Balikpapan-class landing ships. According to Australian Defence Force officials, the new vessels could potentially be able to lift three Abrams MBTs or eight Bushmaster IFVs.
DNV will work with BMT to tailor Caimen 500 craft to meet the Australian Army’s future requirements. DNV will identify and manage technical risk, ensuring the validity of changes made to the mature Caimen platform meet the requirements.
The Caimen 500 has been designed to deliver heavy rolling and cargo payload directly to a beach, hard standing or port, and features a full-length cargo deck enabling vehicle roll-on roll-off via stern bow loading/unloading. It can carry a payload of around 200t, measures 75m in length and has a range of 2,000NM.
Shephard Defence Insight estimated the programme had a value of $1.4 billion, with IOC slated for 2032. According to Australia’s "Integrated Investment Program 2024", eight platforms will be procured.
Related Programmes in Defence Insight
Littoral Manoeuvre Vessel - Heavy (Project Land 8710 Phase 2) [Australia]
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Naval Warfare
-
![Raytheon will develop an advanced naval sensing and targeting system for DARPA]()
Raytheon will develop an advanced naval sensing and targeting system for DARPA
RTX’s solution for DARPA’s Pulling Guard programme is intended to provide advanced maritime defence technologies to protect platforms against uncrewed surface vehicles and other threats.
-
![Spain’s F100 upgrade mirrors Aegis modernisation paths in allied navies]()
Spain’s F100 upgrade mirrors Aegis modernisation paths in allied navies
The Spanish Navy’s Alvaro de Bazan-class of air defence frigates will receive the latest Aegis Weapon System technology among other modernisations to extend the service life to 2045.
-
![UK’s Fleet Solid Support ship programme deemed on track despite steel supply concerns]()
UK’s Fleet Solid Support ship programme deemed on track despite steel supply concerns
Shipbuilders are saying the programme is going ahead on time as the government estimates 7.7 million tonnes of steel are needed for 2026 infrastructure projects.
-
![Raytheon unveils details of its proposal for the US Navy/NATO ESSM Next Significant Variant]()
Raytheon unveils details of its proposal for the US Navy/NATO ESSM Next Significant Variant
In an exclusive interview with Shephard, Raytheon’s VP of Shipboard Missiles disclosed what improvements the company plans to offer for the Sea Sparrow NSV.
