On Wednesday, January 14, 2026, the Australian company Birdon announced that it had concluded a contract worth 125 million AUD with the Australian Department of Defence for the delivery of a prototype and 15 production Amphibious Vehicles – Logistics (AV-L) under the Land 8710 Littoral Manoeuvre program for the Australian Army.
Image: Birdon
The new vehicles will replace the aging LARC-V (Lighter, Amphibious Resupply, Cargo, 5-ton (V)) vehicles produced by U.S. companies Condec and LeTourneau-Westinghouse, significantly enhancing the amphibious capabilities of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) through increased water speed, safety, reliability, and efficiency.
Birdon CEO Jamie Bruce said the AV-L contract strengthens Australia’s sovereign defense capability and demonstrates the company’s leading position in innovative marine and automotive engineering.
“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,” Mr Bruce said.
The AV-L design integrates state-of-the-art technologies to ensure effective performance both on land and at sea. It was designed to operate as a fully amphibious platform, capable of reliably transiting surf zones while also complying with Australian road safety regulations for land mobility.
Designed for Australia’s harsh environmental conditions, the AV-L can operate in saltwater without concerns about hull corrosion, far exceeding the limitations of most amphibious vehicles. It is engineered to function in extremely high humidity, high temperatures, heavy surf zones, and across diverse beach landing areas in varied terrain and climates.
The vehicle’s advanced propulsion and steering systems combine propeller-based technology with a dynamic drive system, enabling smooth movement between marshland and open water. Improved maneuverability in water, higher speed, and responsive reverse capability allow for efficient operations, including rapid rescue missions in emergency situations.
User safety is central to the AV-L’s design. It is equipped with a system that automatically detects and adjusts wheel locking and slip, ensuring traction for rapid exit from hazardous surf zones. Shock-absorbing seats and comfort features reduce operator fatigue, while front and rear steering systems, automatic tire inflation, and self-leveling suspension with height control further enhance safety.
The AV-L is fitted with a modular cargo system featuring a deck crane, advanced fire-protection measures, and a debris back-flushing system for the propeller nozzles.
The single-crew vehicle is expected to be 11.7 meters long, have a payload capacity of 4.7 tons, and feature two isolated fuel tanks. Two vehicles will be capable of simultaneous air transport aboard a Boeing C-17A Globemaster III heavy transport aircraft.
All AV-L vehicles will be built at Birdon’s shipyard in Port Macquarie on the mid-north coast of New South Wales. Combined with the company’s ongoing investments in Australia’s growing industrial base, the AV-L project will support local job creation and skills development in the region.
It is also worth noting that under the Land 8710 Littoral Manoeuvre program, Austal Limited will deliver landing craft: 18 Landing Craft Medium and eight Landing Craft Heavy vessels.
Video: Birdon via Linkedin