Port Macquarie-based Birdon awarded $125m contract to build Army’s amphibious vehicles

PORT Macquarie–based maritime engineering company Birdon has secured a $125 million contract to design and build a new fleet of Amphibious Vehicles – Logistics (AV-Ls) for the Australian Army.

The contract covers the construction of one prototype and 15 production vehicles, which will replace the Army’s ageing Lighter Amphibious Resupply Cargo vehicle (LARC-V).

All vehicles will be constructed at Birdon’s shipbuilding facility in Port Macquarie, supporting local jobs and skills development.

The new AV-L fleet is expected to significantly enhance the Australian Defence Force’s amphibious capability, delivering improvements in speed, safety, reliability and overall performance.

Birdon CEO Jamie Bruce said the project was a significant step for Australia’s sovereign defence capability and highlighted the company’s strength in advanced engineering and design.

“The project reflects Birdon’s commitment to delivering Defence-ready solutions tailored to Australia’s unique operating environments,” he said.

“It builds on our proven expertise in integrated design, engineering, logistics, and construction.”

The AV-L has been engineered to operate effectively across both land and sea.

It functions as a deep-sea vessel capable of reliable surf zone transitions while also meeting Australian road safety regulations for land-based operations.

The design allows it to withstand prolonged immersion in corrosive saltwater and perform in extreme conditions. Advanced propulsion and steering systems combine water jet technology with a dynamic drive train.

Improved manoeuvrability, faster in-water performance and enhanced reversing capability also support agile operations, including emergency response and rescue scenarios.

Operator safety has been central to the design, with automatic systems that detect wheel bogging and slipping, helping crews exit hazardous wave zones quickly.

Shock-absorbing seating, front and rear steering, automatic tyre inflation and self-levelling suspension further reduce fatigue and risk during demanding missions.

The AV-L also features a modular payload system, deck crane, advanced fire safety measures and a reverse flush system to clear debris from the jet intake, suitable for defence and humanitarian operations.