CANBERRA - The government of Australia is accelerating a program to build 18 medium landing craft for the Army's new littoral fleet. The program is valued at AUD2 billion ($1.3 billion).

The first of the medium landing craft vessels, designed by Birdon and to be built by Austal at the Henderson Shipyard in Western Australia, is expected to be delivered in 2026.

The local build of the medium landing craft is in addition to up to eight heavy landing craft which will also be built by Austal at Henderson.

These vessels are an essential component of Army’s transformation and optimization for littoral maneuver. They will support a strategy of denial which includes deploying and sustaining modernized land forces with long-range land and maritime strike capabilities across our region.

The Albanese Government is investing $7 billion towards littoral maneuver vessels.

Landing Craft Medium Specifications:

With a range of up to 2000 nautical miles when operating with the Landing Craft Heavy, the Landing Craft Medium are capable of transporting up to 90 tons, equivalent to four High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS), or one main battle tank, or one infantry fighting vehicle and two Bushmasters. This is similar to the capacity of large aircraft such as a C-17 Globemaster. These landing craft will be supported by the Amphibious Vehicle Logistics which can navigate over beaches and through waterways that may be clogged with obstacles and debris.

Source: Australia DoD
Associated URL: https://www.minister.defence.gov.au/media-releases/2024-07-23/albanese-government-boosting-adf-capability-and-safeguarding-australians-accelerated-littoral-fleet-build

TOKYO - Mitsubishi Electric Corporation announced today that it has engaged with Raytheon, an RTX business to supply components of the SPY-6(V) radar for U.S. Navy vessels.

The Raytheon-built SPY-6(V) family of radars is the most advanced radar technology in production today. It is projected to be deployed on 65 U.S. Navy ships over the next 10 years to defend against various threats.

This contract with Raytheon will enable Mitsubishi Electric to begin preparations on the production of SPY-6(V) components to be supplied to the U.S. Navy, and to participate in the U.S. Navy's defense-equipment supply chain business in future.

Source: Mitsubishi
Associated URL: https://www.mitsubishielectric.com/news/2024/0724.html?linkId=520176470

NEW DELHI - India's Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) has test fired its Phase II Ballistic Missile Defense System. The test took place on July 24. The Phase II AD interceptor was launched and intercepted the simulated ballistic missile threat.

India is working to establish a multilayered missile defense system.

Source: Mathrubhumi
Associated URL: https://english.mathrubhumi.com/news/india/explained-ballistic-missile-defence-system-initiated-after-kargil-war-1.9757244