On 19th. February, Navantia has commissioned another four LHD Landing Craft (LLC) to the Defence Materiel Organisation (DMO). These new four LLCs arrived Sydney on 5th. February and join the previous four delivered by Navantia in May 2014. The LLC is a key system of the LHD as provide a significant capability to the ships. In October 2015 Navantia will deliver the final set of four LLCs to the DMO by early 2015, supplying a total of twelve (12) landing craft to the Commonwealth.
This significant milestone of the program shall be added to the current activities of Navantia Australia in the Sustainment and Project Management areas. These services, provided through the Technical Operation Centre, based in South Australia, are a key element of Navantia’s engagement with the Australian defence industries and organisations. This occasion paves the way for great relationships between the ADF and Navantia now and into the future.
The commissioning which took place in Sydney had the presence of the General Consulate of Spain in Sydney, Mr Alvaro de Iranzo, Navantia Australia Managing Director, Francisco Barón and the Program Director, Mr Jose Jimenez-Alfaro.
The LLCs are based in Navantia’s design for the Spanish Navy, LCM-1E, which have been tailored to specific requirements of the Royal Australian Navy. The LLCs plays an important role in Naval Operations involving force projection. These crafts have great cargo capacity which join to the significant endurance allow the performance of complex beach operations.
The main characteristics of the ships are:
- Lenght overall: 23.30 m.
- Floatation lenght: 21.27 m.
- Width: 6.40 m.
- Depth: 2.80 m.
- Propulsion: two 809 kW diesel engines, two waterjets propellers
- Speed: more than 20 knots
- Autonomy: 190 miles at full load
- Loading capacity flexibility: Abrams vehicle, several Army vehicles, fusiliers’ company or 20 feet container truck.