NHIndustries will provide “multiple evolution options” to NATO and nations involved in the Block 2 study, aligned to “respective operational requirements,” said the manufacturer.
The US ally will add $53B AUD in defense spending from earlier projections over the coming decade
As threats rapidly evolve, digital engineering, manufacturing capacity and robust supply chains are critical to meeting challenges.
"This contract reflects the growing strength and success of Austal’s Australian operations — and Australian industry — within the national shipbuilding and sustainment enterprise,” Austal Limited CEO Paddy Gregg said in the company announcement.
"South Australia is at the centre of one of the most significant defence undertakings in our history," Premier of South Australia Peter Malinauskas said in a press release.
The aircraft's wingspan will expand from 6 meters to 7.3 meters, or 20 to 24 feet.
Australia's defense minister said that MC-55A represents a significant step forward in the ability to monitor and protect strategic interests, including key maritime approaches.
Breaking Defense Europe will launch May 4 with Tim Martin and Elisabeth Gosselin-Malo as co-editors.
China will almost certainly dominate the defense and security headlines in the coming months, as tensions continue to simmer in the South China Sea and around Taiwan.
China was once again at the forefront of Indo-Pacific news in 2025.
Austal’s announcement added that the last LCM, all of which are destined for the Australian Army, will be delivered in 2032.
"Clearly, the reason this is happening is because the existing organizational structure is showing deficiencies in terms of delivering key defense projects on time and on budget," Malcolm Davis of the Australian Strategic Policy Institute says.
Government can’t stop to update systems, so modernization has to happen without interruptions.
The companies recently worked together to get the American drone maker's USV certified by Australian authorities.
“It’s a critical time right now that Australian industry has actually got a hand up to say, 'Hey, we’re here to help,'" a Lockheed executive said.
"So, our plan, our mission, is to make safe, clean, protected oceans, and to do that, we want to be the global industrial leader for maritime autonomy and robotics, essentially like the Microsoft of the ocean," Greenroom Robotics co-founder Harry Hubbert said.
"The ADF will seek space advantage to enable freedom of action by temporally assuring access and disrupting or denying an adversary use of the space domain, as required," states Australia's Concept SELENE outlining military space operations.