Maritime engineering company Birdon has signed a $125 million contract to design and build 15 Amphibious Vehicles – Logistics (AV-L) and one prototype for the Australian Army.
The agreement marks a primary phase of the Land 8710 Littoral Manoeuvre Program.
The new fleet will replace the Army’s aging Lighter Amphibious Resupply Cargo (LARC-V) vehicles. The AV-L is designed to improve speed, safety, and reliability during amphibious operations, functioning as a deep-sea vessel capable of surf zone transitions while meeting Australian road safety regulations for land travel.
Birdon CEO Jamie Bruce said the AV-L contract strengthens Australia’s sovereign defence capability and showcases Birdon’s leadership in innovative maritime and automotive engineering excellence.
“The project reflects Birdon’s commitment to delivering Defence-ready solutions tailored to Australia’s unique operating environments. It builds on our proven expertise in integrated design, engineering, logistics, and construction,” Bruce said.
The vehicle is engineered for high humidity, extreme temperatures, and prolonged immersion in corrosive saltwater. Its propulsion system combines water jet and dynamic drive train technologies to facilitate transitions between marsh, clay, and surf environments. To enhance manoeuverability, safety, and speed, the design includes front and rear steering, self-levelling suspension, automatic tire inflation and ride height control.
Safety features also include a system that automatically detects wheel bogging and slipping to maintain traction in wave zones, alongside shock-absorbing seating to reduce operator fatigue. The AV-L also features a modular payload system with a deck crane, fire safety measures, and a reverse flush system to clear debris from the jet intake.
All vehicles will be manufactured at Birdon’s shipyard in Port Macquarie on the New South Wales Mid North Coast.