Austal (ASB) Trading update summary

Contract award and strategic significance

• Awarded a ~$4 billion contract to construct eight Landing Craft Heavy vessels for the Australian Defence Force under the Strategic Shipbuilding Agreement.

• Construction will begin in 2026 at Henderson, Western Australia, with final delivery in 2038.

• The contract reinforces the company's position as a sovereign shipbuilder and trusted defence partner.

• Represents a record order book and provides long-term demand and investment incentives for capability uplift.

• Balances geographic diversity of earnings and provides employment stability for 12 years.

Industrial and economic impact

• Thousands of new skilled jobs will be created in Western Australia, supporting the local defence industry supply chain.

• Expands industrial capabilities at Henderson, supporting continuous naval shipbuilding work for decades.

• Offers outstanding opportunities for local businesses and supply chain partners to engage in defence projects.

Vessel specifications and operational role

• Each vessel will be approximately 100 metres long, 16 metres wide, and displace 3,900–4,000 tonnes.

• Capacity includes over 200 soldiers and either 6 Abrams tanks or 9 Redback Infantry Fighting Vehicles.

• Vessels will support amphibious operations, logistics, humanitarian assistance, and disaster relief.