New generation landing craft for The Royal Netherlands Marine Corps
The Littoral Assault Craft (LAC) will become the new landing craft for the Marine Corps. These vessels will replace the Landing Craft Vehicle Personnel (LCVPs) and are expected to enter service between 2026 and 2028. The Netherlands Materiel en IT Command and the Finnish company Marine Alutech are joining forces for this program.
The LAC has been designed by the Finnish Marine Alutech to support the new doctrine of the Marine Corps, known as Force Design. 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.
The Royal Netherlands Navy is on the verge of a major fleet modernization. The LAC is therefore designed to be compatible with both the current generation of ships and the next generation of Amphibious Transport Ships.
