UK sells Royal Marines’ hovercraft trio to Pakistan Navy

July 1, 2025, by Fatima Bahtić

Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S), a part of the UK’s Ministry of Defense, has completed the sale of three landing craft air cushion (light) (LCAC(L)) hovercraft and all associated spares to the Pakistan Navy.

A handover event was held in London, attended by Commodore Richard Whalley and DE&S colleagues, alongside those from the Pakistan High Commission London, the Attaché Defence Procurement, and other senior representatives from both ministries.

Previously used by Royal Marines, the hovercraft were decommissioned from service in 2021. In 2022, DE&S awarded UK-based Griffon Marine Support a contract, overseen by the DE&S Boats Team, to refurbish the boats and prepare them for transfer.

Griffon Marine will continue to provide in-service support for the hovercraft under its own contract with the Pakistan Navy.

The LCAC(L) can traverse both land and water and was identified by the sales team as being well-suited to Pakistan’s maritime environment, according to the officials. They can perform operations such as coastal patrol, humanitarian assistance, and rapid deployment missions.

“This sale continues a long history of excellent defence equipment sales with the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and reaffirms our positive defence relations,” Richard Whalley, Head of Exports and Sales at DE&S, said.

“By transferring these proven assets, we are supporting the Pakistan Navy’s ability to enhance its coastal and amphibious operations, supporting our shared goal of maintaining global security as well as providing a return for the UK’s defence budget.”

“The Pakistan Navy values its defence cooperation with the UK. This is evident through joint exercises, training exchanges, defence acquisitions and collaborative efforts in maritime security,” a Pakistan Navy spokesperson added.

“Our recent acquisition of hovercraft from the UK will enhance our defence capabilities, particularly in maritime security and Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) Operations.”