News Review: LHD watercraft, Joint C2projects approved | ADM November 2011

Two key ADF projects received 2nd Pass Approval last month: the purchase of 12 new watercraft for the two Canberra-class LHDs under Joint Project 2048 Ph.3, and the enhancement of information and technology infrastructure at Headquarters Joint Operations Command (HQJOC) .

Navantia will build 12 LCM-1E medium landing craft in Australia and Spain for the LHDs following Defence’s 2009 decision to sole-source the purchase from Navantia, which is also building the hulls for the LHDs. The delivery of the first batch of four watercraft will be co-ordinated with the delivery of the first LHD, expected in 2014.

However, the contract is unlikely to be signed until December this year. Despite Navantia being chosen to build the LCM-1Es two years ago no decision has been made as to where they will be built. The company says it has presented a range of options to Government, including local manufacture of all or part of the fleet, but won’t disclose the identity of its potential industry partner in Australia.

Under JP2030 Ph.8 Government has also approved enhancements to information and communications technology infrastructure at Headquarters Joint Operations Command (Bungendore) as well as software upgrades to better support military planning (see p.40)

Subject: Joint