Posted on January 14, 2026
Birdon has signed a $125 million contract with the Australian Government to design and build one prototype and 15 Amphibious Vehicles – Logistics (AV-L) for the Australian Army, under Land 8710 – Littoral Manoeuvre.
The AV-L fleet will replace the Army’s legacy LARC-V capability, delivering a step change in amphibious performance, safety and reliability across Australia’s complex operating environments.
Designed for seamless operation across land, surf and open water, the AV-L combines deep-sea vessel performance with on-road mobility, while meeting Australian safety and regulatory requirements. The platform is engineered to operate in high temperatures, extreme humidity, corrosive saltwater and challenging surf zones, supporting reliable operations across diverse terrain and climate conditions.
The vehicle integrates advanced propulsion, steering and traction systems to enable smooth transitions between marsh, beach and surf environments, enhanced manoeuvrability in-water, and improved responsiveness during recovery and emergency scenarios. Operator safety is central to the design, with systems that actively manage traction, reduce fatigue and improve vehicle stability during high-risk missions.
The AV-L’s modular payload system, deck crane and adaptable configuration allow the platform to support a wide range of defence and humanitarian tasks, reinforcing its flexibility as a logistics and resupply asset.
All vehicles will be designed and built at Birdon’s Port Macquarie shipyard, supporting local jobs, skills development and Australia’s sovereign maritime and defence capability.
This project reflects Birdon’s ongoing commitment to design-led engineering, integrated delivery and long-term partnership with Defence.
