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Posted by Allen Newton
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10 Sep, 2026
PORT Macquarie shipbuilder, Birdon is supplying three next-generation Bridge Erection Boats (BEBs) to the Australian Army, building on a program developed for the army more than 20 years ago.
The three vessels supplied to Army were built at Birdon’s BEB manufacturing facility and represent the latest evolution of a platform refined through years of operational experience, engineering development and service across multiple military customers and operating environments.
Birdon CEO Jamie Bruce said the delivery demonstrates the enduring value that can be created when Australian industry is entrusted to develop and support sovereign defence capability.
He said it marked the evolution of a capability whose origins lie in an Australian-designed program developed for Army more than two decades ago.
The delivery represents a significant milestone in the evolution of a capability that began with Birdon's Bridge Erection Propulsion Boat (BEPB) program for the Australian Army in 2003 and has since been adopted by military forces in the United States, Brazil and Europe.
“Birdon's original BEPB program delivered 24 vessels to the Australian Army and established the foundation for a family of military bridging boats that would ultimately support major international defence programs,” a Birdon statement said.
“The success of the Australian program enabled Birdon to expand into global markets, including the United States, where the company has since manufactured over 540 bridge erection boats and associated systems for military customers and allied nations.
The latest vessels incorporate enhancements from what Birdon said had come from years of operational feedback and design evolution, reflecting lessons learned from supporting military bridging operations across a range of environments and user requirements.
Mr Bruce said the program demonstrates how investment in Australian-owned industry can deliver benefits extending far beyond a single acquisition project.
"The original Australian Army program delivered much more than a fleet of vessels.
“It enabled the development of a specialist capability that has since been exported internationally, expanded Birdon's global footprint and strengthened our ability to support defence customers across allied nations.
“The delivery also builds on Birdon's longstanding relationship with the Australian Army. In addition to designing and constructing the original BEPB fleet, Birdon continues to provide in-service support to Army's bridge erection vessel capability, including maintenance, capability upgrades, obsolescence management, and spares provisioning.
“This combination of design, manufacturing and through-life support experience provides Birdon with a unique understanding of the operational and sustainment requirements associated with military bridging capability," Mr Bruce said.
"That continuity allows us to apply decades of operational and engineering knowledge while ensuring the capability continues to evolve in line with customer requirements.”
