Pakistan enhances naval capabilities with acquisition of three British LCACL hovercraft.

According to information published by DE&S Defence Equipment & Support, on June 30, 2025, the United Kingdom officially completed the sale of three Landing Craft Air Cushion (Light), or LCAC(L), hovercraft along with a full package of associated spare parts to the Pakistan Navy. These hovercraft, previously operated by the Royal Marines and retired in 2021, were overhauled by Griffon Marine Support under a 2022 refurbishment contract supervised by the DE&S Boats Team. The acquisition represents a significant reinforcement of Pakistan’s coastal and shallow-water operational assets and marks another milestone in a long-standing bilateral defence cooperation between the UK and Pakistan.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link

The British-built Landing Craft Air Cushion Light LCACL is a high-speed amphibious hovercraft designed for the rapid deployment of troops and equipment over land and water in coastal and shallow environments. (Picture source: Wikimedia)

Originally built to support amphibious operations by the British Royal Marines, the LCAC(L) hovercraft are designed to transport troops, equipment, and vehicles directly from ship to shore, bypassing traditional ports and infrastructure. Their ability to travel at high speed over land, mud, and water enables operations in complex littoral zones, including estuaries, river deltas, and flood-prone coastal areas. This strategic mobility has proven critical for both military logistics and rapid response missions. The British military primarily deployed LCAC(L) units for coastal reconnaissance, beachhead support, and humanitarian assistance during overseas deployments, including in disaster relief scenarios where access by conventional landing craft was limited or impossible.

For Pakistan, the induction of these hovercraft into naval service comes at a time of increasing focus on littoral defence and humanitarian disaster readiness. With a 1,046-kilometer coastline along the Arabian Sea and key naval installations located in Karachi, Ormara, and Gwadar, Pakistan faces a range of strategic and operational challenges in maintaining maritime domain awareness, coastal defence, and rapid deployment capability. The LCAC(L) platforms provide Pakistan with a modern and mobile asset to conduct patrols, deploy quick reaction forces, and deliver aid during coastal emergencies and natural disasters such as floods and cyclones. Their shallow-draft hover capability makes them ideally suited for operations in Pakistan’s marshy and riverine regions, where conventional craft cannot operate efficiently.

The broader defence relationship between the UK and Pakistan spans decades and includes military training programs, joint exercises, technical cooperation, and defence sales. Pakistan has historically operated various UK-origin platforms including naval vessels, armored vehicles, and surveillance systems. Joint initiatives have also included counter-terrorism training, maritime security cooperation, and support for peacekeeping operations. The sale of the LCAC(L) hovercraft is a continuation of this cooperative legacy, underscoring shared strategic interests and mutual trust between the two countries. Commodore Richard Whalley of DE&S highlighted that the sale not only meets Pakistan’s operational needs but also generates economic return for the UK defence budget by extending the lifecycle of capable assets through responsible export.

A Pakistan Navy spokesperson reiterated the significance of the acquisition, noting the value of these hovercraft in enhancing the country’s maritime security posture and their role in Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations. The continued support from Griffon Marine Support, which will provide in-service maintenance, also ensures sustained operational readiness and technical integration of the platforms into Pakistan’s naval fleet.

As the Pakistan Navy expands its amphibious and coastal response capabilities, the integration of LCAC(L) hovercraft from the UK represents a timely and strategic enhancement aligned with regional security needs and the evolving nature of maritime threats in South Asia.

The Landing Craft Air Cushion (Light), known as LCAC(L), is a military-grade hovercraft developed and manufactured by Griffon Hoverwork, a UK-based company that specializes in amphibious vehicle technologies. This particular platform traces its lineage to the Griffon 2000TDX and 2400TD series, which were adapted for military operations and introduced into service with the Royal Marines in the early 2000s. The LCAC(L) evolved to meet the specific requirements of expeditionary and amphibious forces needing rapid and flexible shore-to-shore transport in environments where conventional craft face severe limitations.

The model transferred to Pakistan, based on the Griffon 2400TD variant, is a 12.7-meter-long platform capable of reaching speeds up to 34 knots (approximately 63 kilometers per hour). With a beam of 6.8 meters, the craft can carry up to 16 fully equipped soldiers or approximately 2.4 tonnes of cargo. It is powered by a Deutz diesel engine producing 440 kilowatts, delivering robust propulsion and hover lift across diverse terrain, from open water to marshes and sandy coastlines.

Technically, the LCAC(L) features an armoured crew compartment with bullet-resistant windows and modular protective panels, enhancing survivability in contested environments. Its compact design allows for airlift deployment in military transport aircraft such as the C-130J Hercules, A400M Atlas, and C-17 Globemaster III. For surveillance and navigation, it includes a Forward Looking Infrared (FLIR) turret and maritime radar systems, enabling operations in low visibility and night conditions. It is also armed with a General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG) mounted on top of the crew compartment for self-defence and light fire support.

These capabilities give the LCAC(L) an operational edge in fast troop insertions, logistic resupply, surveillance missions, and emergency evacuations in environments affected by natural disasters or hostile actions. For the Pakistan Navy, such a platform expands the range of operational scenarios it can respond to, particularly in regions with challenging coastal geographies and limited port infrastructure. The hovercraft’s multi-role flexibility directly enhances Pakistan’s amphibious warfare potential and its readiness for civilian support missions, solidifying its strategic maritime posture in the region.