Since 1993, the Royal Australian Navy has operated four Australian-designed and built Landing Craft, Vehicle and Personnel (similar in size and concept to the World War II LCVP) from the landing ship, heavy HMAS Tobruk, replenishment oiler HMAS Success, LSD HMAS Choules and Pacific support vessel ADV Reliant. These aluminum craft were built by Geraldton Boat Builders and can carry up to 36 personnel or a Land Rover with a half-ton trailer. They are maintained for the RAN by the firm DMS Maritime. As of 2022, T4 and T5 are carried by ADV Reliant.[2][3]
 Royal Australian Navy LCVP T 6 in 2010
| |
| Class overview | |
|---|---|
| Builders | Geraldton Boat Builders |
| Operators |  Royal Australian Navy |
| Built | 1993 |
| In service | 1993–current |
| Completed | 4 |
| Active | 4 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | Landing craft |
| Displacement | 5.5 tons |
| Length | 13.2 m (43 ft) |
| Beam | 3.36 m (11.0 ft) |
| Draught | 0.5 m (1.6 ft) |
| Ramps | Bow ramp |
| Propulsion | 2 x Volvo Penta diesels, 2 x propellers |
| Speed | 21 knots (39 km/h; 24 mph) |
| Capacity | 36 personnel or a Land Rover with a half-ton trailer |
| Complement | 3 |
| Notes | Data from[1] |
In July 2024 the RAN ordered two light landing craft to operate from the auxiliary ship ADV Reliant instead of LCVPs. The new craft will be larger and faster than the LCVPs.[4]
References
edit- ^ Wertheim, Eric (2007). The Naval Institute Guide to Combat Fleets of the World. Naval Institute Press. p. 26. ISBN 978-1-59114-955-2.
- ^ "NDMO CONDUCTS EVACUATION EXERCISE ON SAVO ISLAND". Retrieved 16 November 2022.
- ^ "Defence Images: 20220831raaf8182715_0019.jpg". Defence Images: Search. Retrieved 16 November 2022.
- ^ "RAN selects new landing craft for Pacific Support Vessel". Asia-Pacific Defence Reporter. 25 July 2024. Retrieved 25 December 2024.
Media related to LCVP (Australia) at Wikimedia Commons
