First Dutch LCU starts mid-life upgrade

The first of five landing craft utility vessels operated by the Royal Netherlands Navy has begun its mid-life upgrade.

The first of five landing craft utility (LCU) Mk IX vessels operated by the Royal Netherlands Navy has begun its mid-life upgrade.

The first unit, L 9525, entered dry dock at De Haas Shipyards in Rotterdam on 21 January, according to the Dutch Materiel Organisation.

The Dutch navy's LCU vessels were ordered from Visser Dockyard in Den Helder in 2012 and were delivered between 2014 and 2016. The mid-life upgrade program will modernize these vessels to extend their operational life and improve their capabilities.

The vessels have a full load displacement of 255 tonnes, a length of 30 meters, and are designed to transport personnel, vehicles, and equipment from ship to shore. The upgrade will include improvements to navigation systems, communications equipment, and other onboard systems.

Source: Janes Defence News by  Kate Tringham, 25 January 2023

Photo: The Dutch navy has started the MLU of its fleet of five LCUs, which were built in the late 1990s. (Photo by Derek Fox)

Editor: Paul Binder (©XAirForces Aerospace Industry News Editor from France / Sweden)

Keywords: Netherlands, Royal Netherlands Navy, LCU, Landing Craft, Mid-life Upgrade, Naval Modernization, De Haas Shipyards, landing craft utility (LCU), Mk IX vessels, Dutch LCU, RNLN

First Dutch LCU starts mid-life upgrade


(25.01.2023)