Navantia Australia and CIMIC Group company UGL today announced they are partnering to jointly bid for the Australian Army’s LCM-8 replacement project, LAND 8710-1 Littoral Manoeuvre Vessel Medium (LMV-M).

Navantia Australia and UGL both have a demonstrated track record of delivering successful ADF projects and together, offer the leading Australian LMV-M solution in terms of outstanding Australian Industry Capability, including an Australian sovereign design, Australian construction, and an Australian supply chain. Navantia Australia Managing Director, Israel Lozano, said “The partnership between Navantia Australia and UGL offers combined experience in collaborating with both Navy and Army, to deliver superior results. “Together we offer Defence a highly compliant design, cost effective delivery, surety of supply, contribution to the Naval Shipbuilding Plan and maximum Australian content.” UGL Managing Director, Doug Moss, said “I’m pleased that UGL has teamed with Navantia Australia to bring our substantial Australian heavy manufacturing expertise and genuine Australian sovereign capability to enhance the Australian naval shipbuilding capability.” As a major Australian services and manufacturing company, UGL has significant experience in complex project delivery. Its Australia-wide 6,700 strong workforce offer extensive manufacturing and support capabilities on both the east and west coasts of Australia.

As a leading Australian project-based organisation, Navantia Australia this year celebrates its tenth year in providing sovereign engineering, design, sustainment, and supply chain services to the Australian Defence sector.

Navantia Australia first revealed its intent to bid for the Landing Craft replacement at the Land Forces Exhibition in June 2021, unveiling a series of wholly Australian designed landing craft variants named Kodal. Kodal is a Torres Strait Islander word meaning Crocodile acknowledging the amphibious operations of the craft. 

The submission date for the Request for Tender is 14 June 2022.