(NL)LCU
The (NL)LCU, which stands for (Netherlands) Landing Craft Utility, is a Dutch LCU. The Royal Netherlands Navy currently operates five LCU type Mk.II as well as twelve LCVPs for the Marine Corps.
(NL)LCU type Mk.I
[edit]
| |
| Class overview | |
|---|---|
| Name | (NL)LCU Mk.I |
| Operators |  Royal Netherlands Navy, Netherlands Marine Corps |
| Succeeded by | (NL)LCU Mk.II |
| Built | 1997-1999 |
| In service | 1997-2006 |
| Planned | 5 |
| Completed | 5 |
| General characteristics [1] | |
| Type | Landing Craft Utility |
| Displacement | 225 tonnes (221 long tons) |
| Length | 27.30 m (89 ft 7 in) |
| Beam | 6.85 m (22 ft 6 in) |
| Speed | 11.6 knots (21.5 km/h; 13.3 mph) |
| Capacity | 130 troops, 3 trucks, 2 armoured vehicles, 1 BRV |
| Complement | 6 crew |
| Armament | 2× Browning M2 (12.7mm) machine guns |
Ships
[edit]| Pennant no. | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|
| L9525 | In service | Upgraded to Mk.II |
| L9526 | In service | Upgraded to Mk.II |
| L9527 | In service | Upgraded to Mk.II |
| L9528 | In service | Upgraded to Mk.II |
| L9529 | In service | Upgraded to Mk.II |
(NL)LCU type Mk.II
[edit].jpg)
| |
| Class overview | |
|---|---|
| Name | (NL)LCU Mk.II |
| Operators | Royal Netherlands Navy, Netherlands Marine Corps |
| Preceded by | (NL)LCU Mk.I |
| Succeeded by | (NL)LCU Mk.III |
| Built | 2005-2006 |
| In service | 2005-present |
| Planned | 5 |
| Completed | 5 |
| General characteristics [2] | |
| Type | Landing Craft Utility |
| Displacement | 225 tonnes (221 long tons) |
| Length | 36.30 m (119 ft 1 in) |
| Beam | 6.85 m (22 ft 6 in) |
| Speed | 11.6 knots (21.5 km/h; 13.3 mph) |
| Capacity | 130 troops, 3 trucks, 2 armoured vehicles, 1 BRV |
| Complement | 7 crew |
| Armament | 2× Browning M2 (12.7mm) machine guns |
The Mk.I ships were extended by 9 m (29 ft 6 in). As a result, they could carry an extra 20 tons and land further up the beach. All Mk.I were upgraded to Mk.II standards.
Ships
[edit]| Pennant no. | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|
| L9525 | In service | |
| L9526 | In service | |
| L9527 | In service | |
| L9528 | In service | Upgraded to Mk.III |
| L9529 | In service |
(NL)LCU type Mk.III
[edit]| Class overview | |
|---|---|
| Name | (NL)LCU Mk.III |
| Operators | Royal Netherlands Navy, Netherlands Marine Corps |
| Preceded by | (NL)LCU Mk.II |
| Built | 2023-present |
| In service | 2024-present |
| Planned | 5 |
| Completed | 1 |
| General characteristics [3] | |
| Type | Landing Craft Utility |
| Displacement | 225 tonnes (221 long tons) |
| Length | 36.30 m (119 ft 1 in) |
| Beam | 6.85 m (22 ft 6 in) |
| Speed | 11.6 knots (21.5 km/h; 13.3 mph) |
| Capacity | 130 troops, 3 trucks, 2 armoured vehicles, 1 BRV |
| Complement | 7 crew |
| Armament | 2× Browning M2 (12.7mm) machine guns |
As part of their MLU, all Mk.II ships will eventually be upgraded to Mk.III standards.[4] L9528 was the first to undergo this MLU. It is estimated that they will remain in service until at least 2032.[3] On 23 January 2025 the first two refurbished LCUs were delivered by De Haas Shipyards to the Royal Netherlands Navy.[5][6]
Ships
[edit]| Pennant no. | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|
| L9528 | In service |
See also
[edit]Citations
[edit]- ^ "L 9510 TYPE MK I - POLYESTER" (in Dutch). Onze Marine Vloot. Retrieved 2024-06-14.
- ^ "LCU-landingsvaartuig (materieel)" (in Dutch). Ministerie van Defensie. Retrieved 2024-06-14.
- ^ a b "Eerste vernieuwde LCU-landingsschip te water gelaten" (in Dutch). Ministerie van Defensie. Retrieved 2024-06-14.
- ^ Evert Brouwer (15 March 2023). "Landingsvaartuigen in de revisie". Alle Hens (in Dutch). Defensie.nl.
- ^ Mariska Buitendijk (24 January 2025). "De Haas completes upgrade of Dutch navy landing craft". SWZ|Maritime.
- ^ Fatima Bahtić (27 January 2025). "Dutch Navy takes delivery of two upgraded landing craft". Naval Today.