Kongsberg Maritime Wins Kamewa Waterjet Contract for Australian Army Landing Craft

Kongsberg Maritime has entered into an agreement with Austal Defence Shipbuilding Australia to supply Kamewa Steel Series waterjets for the Australian Army's new Landing Craft Medium fleet. Under the agreement, the company will provide four waterjets for each vessel in the new class, which comprises 18 landing craft to be built in Western Australia. The steel-hulled craft, capable of transporting payloads of up to 80 tonnes, are the first vessel class designed and built by Austal for the Australian Army.

 

Details of the Agreement

 

Kongsberg Maritime has secured a defence contract. It agreed a deal with Austal Defence Australia. The contract covers waterjet propulsion. These are Kamewa Steel Series waterjets. They will equip Australian Army landing craft.

The agreement has a defined scope. It provides four waterjets per vessel. This covers the new landing craft class. Austal Defence Australia will deliver them. The company is a subsidiary of Austal.

 

The Landing Craft Programme

 

The programme is substantial in scale. It comprises 18 Landing Craft Medium vessels. These will be built in Western Australia. Austal's shipyards will construct them. This represents a major fleet.

The vessels mark a significant first. They are the first class Austal designed for the Army. This falls under a strategic shipbuilding agreement. The steel-hulled craft are capable vessels. They can transport payloads up to 80 tonnes.

 

The Established Relationship

 

The agreement extends a long partnership. Kongsberg Maritime has worked with Austal for years. Austal has selected Kamewa waterjets before. This spans naval and commercial programmes. The relationship is well established.

The deal reaches a new customer. It extends the collaboration to the Army. Company leadership welcomed this. It reflects Austal's confidence in the technology. It builds on years of successful cooperation.

 

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The Technology and Support

 

The waterjets suit demanding applications. They are designed for high performance. They combine efficiency and manoeuvrability. Reliability is another key feature. This suits naval and commercial vessels.

The company supported the design phase. It provided cavitation tunnel testing. This occurred at its research centre. Austal cited this support as invaluable. It helped ensure and de-risk propulsion performance.

 

Significance of the Contract

 

The contract strengthens the company's position. It reflects confidence in its technology. It demonstrates delivery capability. This covers demanding operational environments. It reinforces its naval propulsion standing.

The contract supports a long-term capability. It will serve the Army for decades. Delivery aligns with the construction schedule. This ensures coordinated vessel completion. It contributes to an important defence capability.