Canberra Class LHDs

Based on the Navantia-designed LHD Juan Carlos I built for the Spanish Navy, the Canberra Class LHDs provide the Australian Defence Force with one of the most sophisticated air-land-sea amphibious deployment systems in the Pacific.

The Royal Australian Navy currently operate two Canberra Class LHDs; HMAS Canberra (L02), and HMAS Adelaide (L01).

The largest ships ever constructed for or operated by the Royal Australian Navy, these 27,000-tonne ships can transport a 1,000-strong land force along with their equipment and aviation units. The LHDs onboard medical facility is equipped with two operating theatres, dedicated pathology, radiology, x-ray, pharmacy, and dental facilities, and an eight-bed critical care unit in addition to multiple low and medium dependency beds.

The Canberra Class LHDs form the cornerstone of the Australian Defence Force’s humanitarian capabilities. HMAS Canberra was deployed to Fiji after Tropical Cyclone Winston in 2016, delivering 60 tonnes of supplies to assist in post-disaster emergency relief. HMAS Adelaide was deployed as part of Operation Bushfire Assist 2020, transporting Australian Defence personnel, equipment, and supplies to isolated disaster areas and assisting in the evacuation of more than 1,100 civilians from danger. Both HMA Ships Adelaide and Canberra were additionally deployed as part of Operation Tonga Assist 2022 following the eruption of an underwater volcano and subsequent tsunami, delivering humanitarian supplies and fresh water to the disaster-stricken nation.

Combining humanitarian and operational capability, the Canberra Class LHDs play a significant part in strengthening Australia’s regional relationships.

In addition to delivering two Canberra Class LHDs, Navantia was contracted to deliver twelve Navantia-designed and built LCM-1E amphibious, mechanised landing craft, known in Australia as the LHD Landing Craft (LLC).

These landing craft, purpose built to be operated from the LHDs, are used to transport troops, goods, and equipment between the LHD and shore in locations without fixed port facilities.

The relative autonomy of the LHD Landing Craft from their parent vessel allows the LLCs to speedily transport cargo between the LHDs and dry land beyond 20 nautical miles or 37 kilometres away. Each LHD is assigned six LHD Landing Craft, with four embarked and two located at shore facilities for training and trial purposes to be rotated in line with LLC maintenance schedules.

Through the cooperation of the LHDs’ troop, cargo, and humanitarian aid transport capability and the LLCs’ speed, distance, and autonomy, the Australian Defence Force possess one of the most sophisticated amphibious capabilities in the Pacific region.

In 2007 Navantia was selected as the designer and hull builder of the Royal Australian Navy’s two Landing Helicopter Docks (LHD).

The hulls were built in Ferrol, Spain and transported on a heavy lift ship by sea to Australia. Both vessels have been commissioned into service and form a crucial part of Navy’s capability.

Construction of the first ship, HMAS Canberra, commenced in late 2008, with the hull launched in early 2011, and sea trials in early 2014. Canberra was commissioned in November 2014. Work on the second vessel, HMAS Adelaide, started in early 2010. Adelaide was commissioned in December 2015.

We provide top-tier, in-country support to the Canberra Class LHDs through life.

Navantia Australia has been given Design Authority for the Canberra Class LHDs through best-practice transfer of technology procedures and a localisation of Navantia’s Australian activities to our 99% locally-engaged workforce. Through our role as platform designer of the Canberra Class LHDs, we provide comprehensive through-life support to the Canberra Class LHDs sustainment contractor.

Navantia is also the Original Equipment Manufacturer of several systems on the Canberra Class LHDs, including the Integrated Platform Management System (IPMS), diesel engines, and generator sets. This gives Navantia Australia a deep understanding of these ships and are well positioned to provide design support as they evolve into the future.

Our through-life support is currently performed by our experienced field engineers based out of HMAS Kuttabul in Sydney, strongly supported by their peers in our Melbourne Naval Design and Engineering Centre. Our local engineering team have provided numerous, complex design changes to the Canberra Class LHDs on the request of the Commonwealth to allow these ships to maintain their function as one of Australia’s key diplomatic tools to the Indo Pacific region.

In 2020, Navantia Australia produced all platform integration designs necessary to integrate the Advanced Stabilised Glide Slope Indicator (ASGSI) into the Canberra Class LHD design in order to install the ASGSI aboard the LHDs within a very tight timeframe. The Navantia Australia team also worked to deliver design and construction solutions to provide enhanced capability for the LHD Landing Craft, which resulted in long-term strategic benefits including significant cost savings to the operation and maintenance of the LLCs. As a result of these efforts, the LLC Enhancement Program was declared the winner of the 2020 Essington Lewis Awards – Minor Sustainment Activity – Under $20 million.

In 2021, Navantia Australia supported the Royal Australian Navy and the LHD ACPC Enterprise to design, integrate, and install the Tri-Band INMARSAT GX and X/Ka-band WGS Satellite Communications system on HMAS Canberra. The change was completed in record time and has supported improved crew conditions and Quality of Life functions while at sea.

In 2025, Navantia Australia was contracted to provide comprehensive design and engineering support to the Hobart Class Destroyers (DDGs), Canberra Class Landing Helicopter Docks (LHDs), LHD Landing Craft (LLCs), and Supply Class Auxiliary Oiler Replenishment Vessels (AORs) under the Designer Support Contract (DSC). The DSC scope amalgamated Navantia Australia’s extant Support Services contracts for the Royal Australian Navy’s DDGs, LHDs, LLCs, and AORs, as well as the Platform System Designer Deed into the one contractual arrangement. Introduced under the Maritime Sustainment Model, the DSC utilises Navantia Australia’s deep product knowledge and baseline management to facilitate design integrity throughout sustainment and continuous improvement activities.