Advancing UK Aerospace, Defence, Security & Space Solutions Worldwide
  • Home
  • /
  • Defence
  • /
  • DE&S sells three Royal Marines hovercraft to Pakistan Navy

Defence

DE&S sells three Royal Marines hovercraft to Pakistan Navy

Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S) has completed the sale of three Landing Craft Air Cushion (Light) (LCAC(L)) hovercraft and all associated spares to the Pakistan Navy.

Above: 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.
Courtesy DE&S

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.

Advertisement
Teledyne

The hovercraft have now been sold by the DE&S Exports & Sales Team – a key part of the UK’s export enterprise, delivering essential equipment capability to allies and partners through Government-to-Government export and sale of surplus defence equipment.

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, offering highly mobile, shallow‑water operational capability for operations such as coastal patrol, humanitarian assistance, and rapid deployment missions.

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

Through the managed sale and disposal of surplus UK defence equipment, the DE&S Exports and Sales team ensures economic returns while extending the operational life of military capabilities.

A Pakistan Navy spokesperson said: “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. 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.”

Advertisement
DSEI 2025

Griffon Marine Support, headquartered in Southampton, will continue to provide in-service support for the hovercraft under its own contract with the Pakistan Navy, building on Pakistan’s use of LCAC(L)s by its armed forces for over 20 years.

Dan Pountney, Head of Griffon Marine Support, added: “It has been a pleasure working alongside the DE&S Exports & Sales Team and the DE&S Boats Team – who we have supported for the past seven years with maintenance, refits, and mid-life upgrades – to prepare the hovercraft for sale to our long-standing customer, the Pakistan Navy. We are proud of this collaboration and look forward to continuing our in-service support for both UK boats and the Pakistan Navy.”

Advertisement
PTC PTC
GKN Aerospace secures Typhoon transparencies contract

Defence

GKN Aerospace secures Typhoon transparencies contract

10 July 2025

GKN Aerospace has has signed a six-year follow-on contract with BAE Systems for continued manufacture of Eurofighter Typhoon transparencies at its Luton facility, through to the end of 2030.

Metis to supply Skyperion to NATO ally

Defence Security

Metis to supply Skyperion to NATO ally

10 July 2025

Metis has won a contract to supply a number of Skyperion drone detection systems to a NATO customer to provide the drone detect function as part of an integrated Counter Uncrewed Air Systems (C-UAS) capability.

ALL.SPACE unveils Hydra MAX

Defence Space

ALL.SPACE unveils Hydra MAX

10 July 2025

ALL.SPACE has revealed a major advancement in mobile satellite communications with the successful demonstration of Hydra MAX - the first network independent terminal of its kind to deliver ultra wideband communications to multiple satellites simultaneously.

BAE Systems assessed

Defence

BAE Systems assessed 'Awardable' for US DoD work in P1 Solutions Marketplace

9 July 2025

BAE Systems in collaboration with Defense Unicorns, have announced that their joint solution has achieved 'Awardable' status for US Department of Defense (DoD) work through the US Platform One (P1) Solutions Marketplace.

Advertisement
DSEI 2025
Government unveils Team UK approach to defence

Defence

Government unveils Team UK approach to defence

8 July 2025

UK Government plans to deliver jobs across the country by unlocking the full economic potential of Britain's defence sector are being unveiled today.

Construction begins on SLA accommodation at RAF Cosford

Defence

Construction begins on SLA accommodation at RAF Cosford

8 July 2025

Construction has started on a new 50-bedroom Single Living Accommodation (SLA) block at RAF Cosford in Shropshire.

Advertisement
Leonardo RT