Balikpapan Class
The Heavy Landing Craft is an extremely important vessel, capable of moving large amounts of cargo, personnel and equipment from larger ships to shore. A very shallow draft allows these ships to deliver troops and equipment to areas otherwise unreachable.
Six LCH's form part of the Royal Australian Navy today. HMAS Brunei commissioned into the Fleet in January 1973 while HMAS Balikpapan, the prototype LCH, was originally operated by Army Water Transport. She transferred to the RAN in September 1974.
The LCH is an all-welded twin-screw vessel, able to trans-ship cargo and supplies from ships lying offshore to water terminals or across the beach. Maximum cargo load is governed by the load-fuel balance and varies between 140 and 180 tonnes. A typical load of 175 tonnes gives the LCH a range of 1300 nautical miles, increasing to 2280 nautical miles for a load of 150 tonnes.
Usual Army equipment lift can comprise three battle tanks, twenty-three quarter-tonne trucks or thirteen armored personnel carriers.
All six LCHs are currently active, with two based in Darwin and four in Cairns.
Vessels
| Vessel | Pennant | Location | Type | Classification | Commissioned |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HMAS Balikpapan | L 126 | HMAS Coonawarra | Amphibious Warfare | Landing Craft, Heavy (LCH) | 2441293.58 December 1971 |
| HMAS Betano | L 133 | HMAS Coonawarra | Amphibious Warfare | Landing Craft, Heavy (LCH) | 2442086.58 February 1974 |
| HMAS Brunei | L 127 | HMAS Cairns | Amphibious Warfare | Landing Craft, Heavy (LCH) | 2441687.55 January 1973 |
| HMAS Labuan | L 128 | HMAS Cairns | Amphibious Warfare | Landing Craft, Heavy (LCH) | 2441750.59 March 1973 |
| HMAS Tarakan | L 129 | HMAS Cairns | Amphibious Warfare | Landing Craft, Heavy (LCH) | 2441848.515 June 1973 |
| HMAS Wewak | L 130 | HMAS Cairns | Amphibious Warfare | Landing Craft, Heavy (LCH) | 2441904.510 August 1973 |
