Finnish boatbuilder Marine Alutech has won a contract to supply Dutch Marines with new-generation landing craft.
The firm revealed on Wednesday that it had entered an agreement with COMMIT, the Materiel and IT Command of the Netherlands Ministry of Defence, to produce Littoral Assault Craft (LAC) to replace its existing fleet of Landing Craft Vehicle Personnel (LCVPs).
In 2023 when the Royal Netherlands Navy (RNLN) first announced the intention to acquire new boats it was stated the new procurement would comprise 12 vessels exclusively for military personnel and eight which could also carry equipment.
However, exact numbers and specifications regarding the new LACs have not been made public at the customer’s request. The new LACs are expected to be delivered between 2026 and 2028; in 2023 the RNLN stated the anticipated cost of the landing-craft programme was “between €100 and €250 million.”
Iit is understood that the boats will be an evolution of the firm’s Watercat M14 platform, but with a number of bespoke alterations, potentially including the ability to hoist the smaller platforms aboard larger naval vessels.
The standard Watercat M14 is a mono v-hull construction driven by twin diesel engines and water jet propulsion giving the boat a full-load top speed in excess of 40 knots.
The new LACs produced for the RNLN will be compatible with both the force’s existing fleet and its forthcoming next-generation Amphibious Transport Ships aligned with its new doctrine.
As per the firm’s statement: “This concept focuses on the simultaneous landing of marines and their equipment from amphibious transport ships positioned further offshore.
“The new craft provides protection in hostile environments and is equipped with powerful onboard weapon systems. It is also faster, capable of covering greater distances, and can operate at sea for longer periods than the current vessels.”
Expanding on the same point, a previous RNLN statement had noted: “Marines increasingly have to deal with armed resistance, including at sea. As a result, the large ships remain further away from shore.
“Compared to current vessels, the new vessels must be faster, cover longer distances, and be deployable in rougher seas. They must also offer better protection in bad weather and reduce the physical strain on crew members in rough seas.”
- You can read more details on the Marine Alutech website