Kongsberg to Supply Kamewa Waterjets for Australia’s New LCM Fleet | Mariner News

Kongsberg Maritime has secured a significant agreement to supply Kamewa Steel Series waterjets for the Australian Army’s new 18-vessel Landing Craft Medium (LCM) fleet, marking a pivotal development in Australia’s strategic shipbuilding initiative. The contract with Austal Defence Australia extends a long-standing partnership to a new defence customer for Kongsberg.

This program represents the first vessel class designed and constructed by Austal specifically for the Australian Army under the Australian Government’s Strategic Shipbuilding Agreement. The commitment to local construction at Austal’s Western Australian shipyards underscores a broader national defence industry strategy.

Each of the 18 steel-hulled LCMs will feature four Kamewa Steel Series waterjets, enabling them to transport payloads of up to 80 tonnes. This substantial lift capability enhances the Australian Army’s logistical and operational flexibility, while the selection of waterjet propulsion often suggests a focus on maneuverability and shallow-water performance vital for landing craft operations.

The deal deepens the established relationship between Kongsberg Maritime and Austal, which has a history of integrating Kamewa waterjet systems across numerous naval and commercial projects. Magnus Fahlén, Senior Vice President Waterjet System at Kongsberg Marine, noted the extended collaboration to a new customer in the Australian Army, signifying a new dimension to their partnership.

Construction of the new LCM fleet will take place at Austal’s facilities in Western Australia, with Kongsberg Maritime providing the waterjet systems as a core component of these critical logistics vessels.