Balikpapan - class landing craft heavy The " Balikpapan " class LCH ( Landing Craft , Heavy ) are a class of eight vessels operated by the Australian Defence Force and the Papua New Guinea Defence Force ( PNGDF ) . They were initially built for the Australian Army , but operational responsibility was transferred from the Army to the Royal Australian Navy ( RAN ) during 1973 and 1974 . As of 2012 , five vessels were operational : three with the RAN , and two with the PNGDF following their transfer in 1974 . Design and capabilities . Eight new heavy landing craft were ordered in 1969 as a locally - manufactured replacement for the Australian Army ' s four LSM - 1 class landing ship medium and two ALC 50 landing craft after the Landing Ship Medium Mk II project was cancelled . They are long , with a beam of , and a draught of . The landing craft have a standard displacement of 316 tons , with a full load displacement of 503 tons . They are propelled by two G . M . Detroit 6 – 71 diesel motors , providing 675 brake horsepower to the two propeller shafts , allowing the vessels to reach . The standard ship ' s company is 13 - strong . The " Balikpapan " s were originally equipped with a Decca RM 916 navigational radar , which was later replaced with a Bridgemaster - E X - band radar , They are fitted with two machine guns for self - defence . The LCHs have a maximum payload of 180 tons ; equivalent to 3 Leopard 1 or 2 M1A1 Abrams tanks , 13 M113 armored personnel carrier s , 23 quarter - tonne trucks , or 4 LARC - V amphibious cargo vehicles . As a troop transport , a " Balikpapan " class vessel can transport up to 400 soldiers between a larger amphibious ship and the shore , or embark 60 soldiers in six - berth caravans for longer voyages . The vessel ' s payload affects the range : at 175 tons of cargo , each vessel has a range of , which increases to with a 150 - ton payload , and when unladen . The flat , box - like keel causes the ships to roll considerably in other - than - calm conditions , limiting their ability to make long voyages . The LCHs can mate their bow ramp to the stern loading dock of the RAN ' s large amphibious warfare ships when operating in the ship - to - shore role . All eight " Balikpapan " class vessels were constructed by Walkers Limited at their shipyard in Maryborough , Queensland . All were laid down during 1971 and 1972 , with lead ship entering service with the Australian Army Water Transport Squadron at the end of 1971 . After this , responsibility for seagoing Army craft was transferred to the RAN , with the other seven craft directly entering naval service during 1973 and 1974 , and " Balikpapan " transferring over in late 1974 . Operational history . In January 1973 , the " Balikpapan " s in RAN service were formed together as the First Australian Landing Craft Squadron , based at in Brisbane . In November 1974 , and were transferred to the fledgling Papua New Guinea Defence Force , along with five " Attack " class patrol boats . Five of the remaining Australian LCHs were deployed in December 1974 following Cyclone Tracy as part of Operation Navy Help Darwin ; was undergoing refits at the time . On entering service , and initially supplemented the inshore hydrographic survey capabilities of the RAN until late 1988 , when they were reassigned to the naval base for use in diver training . During May and June 1984 , " Balikpapan " completed a transit from Brisbane to Penang , transporting vehicles , equipment , and personnel to RAAF Butterworth ; the longest ocean voyage undertaken by a vessel of this class . During 1985 and 1986 , " Salamaua " and " Buna " underwent refits . Between 1997 and 2003 , the LCHs were used to support the Peace Monitoring Group ( PMG ) in Bougainville , under Operation Bel Isi . Ships deployed on this operation were involved in resupplying the PMG base in Loloho , transport of PMG personnel and humanitarian aid , and coastal patrols . From 1999 onwards , the " Balikpapan " s were also tasked with supporting INTERFET operations in East Timor , particularly those relating to the Oecussi enclave . The increase in operational tempo was a major factor in the reactivation of " Wewak " in 2000 . In 2003 , the landing craft began supporting RAMSI operations in the Solomon Islands . As of 2013 , three Australian vessels are active ; two based at in Cairns , Queensland , with the other at in Darwin , Northern Territory . The two PNG vessels were still operational as of 2012 . Decommissioning and fates . On 11 December 2012 , " Wewak " was decommissioned . " Balikpapan " and " Betano " were both decommissioned a day later , on 12 December . The other three Australian vessels will decommission during 2014 , with the entire class to be replaced by an as - yet - unidentified class of six heavy landing craft . The original replacement project was not due to decide on the design until between 2016 and 2018 , with the new class to enter service from 2022 . The Department of Defence issued a request for information in early 2011 , which may lead to the project being brought forward .