DEFENSE
Amphibious military transport expands with new ships and combat vehicles
Modern fleets across the floating economy strengthen ship-to-shore mobility.
Amphibious Combat Vehicle. Photo by military.com
Amphibious military transport is entering a new cycle of investment. Navies are upgrading vehicles and commissioning new transport docks to support rapid deployment across contested littoral zones. In 2025, procurement and deployment milestones show how militaries are reshaping expeditionary capability.
BAE Systems adds Amphibious Combat Vehicles. In August 2025, the U.S. Navy awarded BAE a $181 million contract modification to procure 31 Amphibious Combat Vehicles, including medium-caliber cannon variants and support vehicles.
HII starts work on LPD-32. In January 2025, Huntington Ingalls Industries began fabricating LPD-32, part of the San Antonio-class Flight II amphibious transport docks. These vessels expand sealift and Marine deployment capability.
Three more Flight II LPDs contracted. In September 2024, the Pentagon awarded contracts for three San Antonio-class Flight II amphibious transport docks — LPD-33, LPD-34, and LPD-35 — underscoring long-term demand for expeditionary platforms.
ACV deployment expands overseas. In early 2025, the U.S. Marine Corps confirmed the Amphibious Combat Vehicle had completed its first overseas deployment and is now fielded on the East Coast, marking a major milestone.
That’s not all: analysts expect rising demand for amphibious transport as forces prepare for contested littoral zones. New platforms combine survivability, modular payloads, and digital systems to sustain future expeditionary operations.
—TFI
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