(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

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

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

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).^[3] 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.^[4]

Ships

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

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 [5]
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.^[6] L9528 was the first to undergo this MLU. It is estimated that they will remain in service until at least 2032.^[5] On 23 January 2025 the first two refurbished LCUs were delivered by De Haas Shipyards to the Royal Netherlands Navy.^[7][8]

Ships

Pennant no.	Status	Note
L9528	In service

See also

• (NL)LCVP
• Future of the Royal Netherlands Navy