Australian Army Established Littoral Manoeuvre Group in Brisbane

02 April 2026

Littoral manoeuvre capability concept scene (image & photo: Aus DoD)

The Australian Army has recognised the establishment of its new Littoral Manoeuvre Group with a ceremonial parade at Gallipoli Barracks, Brisbane. 

The group will strengthen Army’s ability to move, deploy and support land forces across coastal and island regions, helping to deliver the aims of Australia’s National Defence Strategy.

Chief of Army, Lieutenant General Simon Stuart, AO, DSC, said the group is part of building a future-ready force designed to operate effectively across the complex geography of the region.  

“This capability strengthens our ability to hold adversaries at risk, control strategic land positions and deny access through Australia’s northern approaches,” he said.

Based in Brisbane, the Littoral Manoeuvre Group Headquarters and the 1st Landing Craft Battalion form the core of a team designed to operate across the Indo-Pacific, supporting Australia’s ability to respond to strategic challenges. 

Army’s existing littoral units, 35th Water Transport Squadron and the Littoral Riverine Survey Squadron, have transitioned to the group. This move brings specialist skills together and streamlines command and control within the 17th Sustainment Brigade.

Two additional landing craft battalions will be located in the Northern Territory and north Queensland alongside Army’s combat brigades, strengthening presence across key strategic corridors. 

Lieutenant General Stuart said Defence was accelerating the acquisition of medium and heavy landing craft, upgraded amphibious vessels and modern facilities to support the group.

“The group will operate these platforms with a new specialised workforce, giving Army the ability to rapidly deploy and sustain its modernised land force – from Abrams tanks and precision strike weapons to infantry fighting vehicles – across demanding terrain,“ he said.

Commander Littoral Manoeuvre Group, Colonel Rory Hale, said the transition of existing units and the development of the new workforce was progressing well.  

“Our people are at the heart of this group. Through targeted training, new career pathways and close collaboration with Navy and TAFE, we are building a skilled workforce of confident littoral warfighters that will lead this capability into the future,” he said. 

(Aus DoD)