Australia's army has deployed overseas ever since the beginning of the 20th Century and in this tradition Canberra has recently developed Joint Project (JP) requirement JP 2048 for a new class of amphibious ship. Australia currently has two converted former Newport News class LSTs, the Kanimbla class, as amphibious transports. Their bow ramps were deleted, a helicopter hangar was added together with a third helicopter landing spot while a 70 tonne crane was added forward for two LCMs or amphibious vehicles. The ships can carry 450 troops and four helicopters but they are 30 years old and reaching the end of their useful lives.
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