Austal Limited, the Australian shipbuilding company, has announced a notable contract modification for its U.S. division, Austal USA. This modification, valued at approximately $55 million, involves the construction of two additional Landing Craft Utility (LCU) 1700-class vessels for the United States Navy. The updated contract extends an existing agreement and increases the total number of LCUs either scheduled or already under construction at Austal USA to five. This is a significant milestone, reflecting the company's continued excellence in naval shipbuilding. The original contract was awarded in September 2023 and includes options for up to nine more vessels, potentially bringing the total to 12 LCUs. The entire contract could be worth up to $379.7 million. Austal Limited’s CEO, Paddy Gregg, praised the contract modification as a strong endorsement of Austal USA’s successful start on building the first LCU vessel for the Navy. He also emphasized the capabilities of Austal’s Mobile, Alabama facility, showcasing its strength in steel shipbuilding.