ADI's selection today as preferred tenderer to produce six amphibious watercraft for the Australian Defence Force is a reflection of the company's strength as a designer and shipbuilder, said ADI Limited's managing director, Mr Jean-Georges Malcor.
"Our bid for this contract was based on a highly innovative, all Australian design solution developed by ADI personnel in Newcastle and Sydney," Mr Malcor said.
"The selection of ADI's design over a strong field of Australian and overseas offerings follows the success of ADI's Newcastle based $1 billion minehunter ships project, which has so far delivered four of six world leading minehunters to the Royal Australian Navy."
The new amphibious watercraft, to be built at ADI's Newcastle site, will augment the RAN's existing LCM8 landing craft, which were built in the 1960s. The watercraft will serve the RAN's amphibious transports - HMAS Manoora and HMAS Kanimbla.
"The new vessels will be at least 60 per cent more efficient than the present landing craft.
"ADI's watercraft have significant new concepts such as an interface pontoon, together with bow and stern ramps which will provide the RAN with a new two-lane drive-through capability that will facilitate more efficient vehicle deployment.
"This new drive-through capability improves the efficiency levels compared to the current landing craft which have bow only access.
"ADI's success in being named preferred tenderer is a reflection of our ability to utilise our design, systems and related engineering skills to achieve an effective and price competitive solution."
The craft will accommodate five ASLAV vehicles.
ADI will employ 40-50 people on the watercraft project for approximately two years. The landing craft will be crewed and operated by Army personnel based in Townsville and will be maintained by ADI and a local Townsville company Rosshaven Marine.
