UK Royal Marines Hand Over Three Hovercraft to Pakistan Navy

The United Kingdom’s Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S) has formally transferred three refurbished LCAC(L) hovercraft—previously decommissioned Royal Marines vessels—to the Pakistan Navy. Equipped with spare parts and backed by full after-sales support from UK-based Griffon Marine Support, this move marks a major upgrade in Pakistan’s coastal and humanitarian response capabilities.

• Coastal defence
  Ideal for Karachi, Ormara, Gwadar patrols—especially in shallow littoral zones 

• Amphibious operations
  Enables rapid "ship-to-shore" deployment where port infrastructure is absent.

• Disaster response (HADR)
  Effective in marshy or flooded areas—for evacuations, aid delivery, and flood relief 

• Surveillance & logistics
  Augments border monitoring and rapid resupply; valuable for remote stations and naval outposts

• Long-term partnership: Formalised through military training, joint naval drills, and technical exchanges.

• Defence sales platform: Hovercraft sale by DE&S via government-to-government agreement

• Economic benefits: Sale reduces UK MoD surplus, supports local defence industry via Griffon Marine Support

• Craft origin: Griffon 2400TD variant; upgraded from earlier 2000TD 

• Durability: Lightweight yet all-weather capable, with armor and thermal systems.

• Civ-military flexibility: Serves dual-use roles—from amphibious warfare to climate disaster zones.

• Pakistan’s coastline: 1,046 km—critical marine zones include creeks, estuaries, and marshes where hovercraft shine.

• Security climate: South Asia’s stressful maritime environment demands flexible and mobile assets.

• Crisis readiness: Hovercraft boosts rapid response, aid delivery during cyclones or tidal surges—poised to strengthen national disaster resilience.

Commodore Richard Whalley (DE&S):

“This sale continues a long history of excellent defence equipment sales with the Islamic Republic of Pakistan… supporting our shared goal of maintaining global security as well as providing a return for the UK’s defence budget.”

Pakistan Navy Spokesperson:

“The hovercraft will enhance our defence capabilities, particularly in maritime security and Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief operations.” 

Dan Pountney (Griffon Marine Support):

“We are proud… and look forward to continuing our in‑service support for both UK boats and the Pakistan Navy.”

• Integration: Training and doctrine development for hovercraft operations across Pakistan’s naval commands.

• Maintenance: Griffon’s ongoing support ensures operational readiness and local skill transfer.

• Fleet expansion: Possible future additions via local production—Karachi Shipyards has explored indigenous designs (e.g., "Leatherback" LCAC).

• Regional drills: Likely inclusion in joint exercises like AMAN, enhancing grip on littoral warfare coordination.

The transfer of three refurbished LCAC(L) hovercraft from the UK to Pakistan reflects a deepening defence partnership and strategic modernization for Pakistan’s Navy. By boosting coastal patrol, amphibious capability, and disaster rescue, these hovercraft strengthen Pakistan's maritime security architecture. With seamless technical support from the UK industry, this initiative positions Pakistan for improved readiness in an evolving regional landscape.