List of active Royal Marines military watercraft

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List of active Royal Marines military watercraft is a list of landing craft and other watercraft in service with the Royal Marines. It consists of a varied fleet of landing craft, patrol vessels and special forces watercraft (I.e. mini submarines etc.) maintained by the Royal Navy and designed to transport the Royal Marines or special forces from ship to shore as well as conduct river or estuary patrols. [1]

Contents

Landing Craft

Royal Marines Landing Craft Utility (LCU) Mk10. Royal Marine Landing Craft MOD 45158374.jpg
Royal Marines Landing Craft Utility (LCU) Mk10.
Royal Marines Landing Craft Vehicle Personnel (LCVP) Mk5. A Royal Marine LCVP Landing Craft MOD 45150169.jpg
Royal Marines Landing Craft Vehicle Personnel (LCVP) Mk5.
Royal Marines Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC). Royal Marine LCAC(LR) Hovercraft MOD 45154442.jpg
Royal Marines Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC).

The principal landing craft of the Royal Marines are the Mk 10 LCUs and the Mk 5B LCVPs. Four LCUs and 4 LCVPs could be embarked on each of the Albion-class assault ships, while one LCU or two LCVPs can be carried on each of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary's Bay-class landing ships. [2] [3] [4] [5]

As of 2023, there were 9 Mk 10 LCUs and 8 Mk 5B LCVPs reported to be in service with the Royal Marines. The LCUs had a displacement of 240 tonnes and were capable of carrying a main battle tank, four other vehicles or 120 troops. The LCVPs displaced 8.2 tonnes and could carry 6 tonnes of stores or 35 troops. [6]

As of 2019, four additional Griffon 2400 TD Landing Craft Air Cushion (Light) were in service with the Royal Marines. [7] These craft were capable of a 34-knot speed and could carry 16 troops or 2.4 tonnes of supplies. [8] However, they were reported laid up as of 2023. [9]

Commando Raiding Craft

The Commando Raiding Craft (CRC) is a recent upgrade from the previous Offshore Raiding Craft (ORC) operated by the Royal Marines. The CRC is primarily employed for 'Strategic Raiding' where speed and covertness is desired, however, the Commando Raiding Craft is equally as capable when conducting amphibious operations alongside the larger and more traditional LCACs, LCUs and LCVPs. The CRC is fitted with three general purpose machine guns or .50 heavy machine gun mounts as well as protection against enemy fire for the troops inside. The CRC has a speed of up to 40 knots, a range of 200 nautical miles and can be underslung from a helicopter or deployed from ships of various sizes. As of 2024, it is reportedly employed with 539 Raiding Squadron RM. [10] [11]

35 ORC were originally reported to be in service with the Royal Marines. However, 23 of these were reportedly donated to Ukraine. [12] The CRC, which began entering service in 2023/24, incorporate both troop-carrying variants and fire-support variants, with the latter equipped with both machine gun mounts and 40mm grenade launchers. [13] [14]

Raiding Craft

The Raiding Craft (RC) are operated in large numbers by the Royal Marines and can be divided into two groups; The Rigid Raider (RRC), and the smaller Inflatable Raiding Craft (IRC). Despite being the smallest of the amphibious craft, the Raiding Craft are the most widely used due to their mobility and versatility. As such, the RCs often find themselves deployed in amphibious and riverine operations around the globe, in environments ranging from the Arctic to the tropics. Examples of these craft are not only embarked on all amphibious warfare vessels, but are also carried aboard other Royal Navy ships for use on patrol duties, such as searching ships or anti-piracy. [10] [15]

Specialist Craft

The Royal Navy operate three MK 11 Shallow Water Combat Submersibles (SWCS) for use by the Special Boat Service. They are designed to deliver special forces personnel and their equipment for covert special operations missions on hostile shores. They replace the previously used SDV Mk8 Mod 1, which was the same as used by the United States Navy SEALs. [4] [16]

From 2011 to 2013, the Royal Marines leased four CB90-class fast assault craft from the Swedish Armed Forces to gain operational insight into the design and capabilities of such a craft. The CB90 or a similar vessel may in future fulfil the Royal Marines concept of the 'Future Force Protection Craft'. It is intended that such a vessel would provide a Task Group in the littoral zones protection from hostile fast attack craft. [5] [17] [18]

The Fast Interceptor Craft (FIC) is in use with the Special Boat Service. It has a reported maximum speed of up to 55 knots and its hull features a highly stealthy design and advanced 'wave piercing' qualities. It is similar to the American Mark V Special Operations Craft. [5]

Patrol Boats

The Royal Marines operate three dedicated patrol vessels of the Island-class based at HMNB Clyde. They are tasked with protecting high value Royal Navy ships such as the Vanguard-class submarines. The vessels -called Mull, Rona and Eorsa- are ex MoD Police boats. Mull and Rona were handed over to the Royal Marines during 2013, with Eorsa arriving at a later date. [19] [20] [21]

See also

Lists of ships operated by or in support of His Majesty's Naval Service

Related Research Articles

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<i>Albion</i>-class landing platform dock Type of amphibious warfare ship in service with the Royal Navy

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Landing craft</span> Seagoing watercraft

Landing craft are small and medium seagoing watercraft, such as boats and barges, used to convey a landing force from the sea to the shore during an amphibious assault. The term excludes landing ships, which are larger. Production of landing craft peaked during World War II, with a significant number of different designs produced in large quantities by the United Kingdom and United States.

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Landing Craft Utility Type of boat designed for transporting amphibious forces and cargo to shore

A Landing Craft Utility (LCU) is a type of boat used by amphibious forces to transport equipment and troops to the shore. They are capable of transporting tracked or wheeled vehicles and troops from amphibious assault ships to beachheads or piers.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gibraltar Squadron</span> Military unit

The Gibraltar Squadron is a unit of the British Royal Navy. It is the only seagoing Royal Naval unit based in Gibraltar, attached to British Forces Gibraltar. It currently includes two Cutlass-class fast patrol boats with a maximum speed of up to 41-knots. The squadron also uses three Pacific 24 rigid-hulled inflatable boats and deploys one diving support boat. The 2021 defence white paper indicated that henceforth, one River-class offshore patrol vessel, HMS Trent, would also be permanently based in Gibraltar for operations in the Mediterranean and in the Gulf of Guinea. As of 2023, 28 personnel were assigned to the squadron, along with additional personnel assigned to HMS Trent.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rigid Raider</span> Series of craft made by RTK Marine

The Rigid Raider (RRC) is a series of fast raiding and assault craft made by RTK Marine, a subsidiary of Halmatic, part of BAE Systems Surface Ships. They are primarily in service with two branches of the British Armed Forces: The Royal Navy and the British Army. Despite being among the smallest of the amphibious craft, the RRC is one of the most widely used due to its mobility and versatility. As such, the Rigid Raider often finds itself deployed in amphibious and riverine operations around the globe, in environments ranging from the Arctic to the tropics.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">LCVP (United Kingdom)</span> United Kingdom landing craft

The Landing Craft Vehicle Personnel (LCVP) is a versatile amphibious landing craft designed to transport troops or armoured vehicles from ship to shore during amphibious landings. The designation was first used in British service for the LCVP Mk2s introduced with the two Fearless class amphibious transport docks, the role having previously been carried out by the Landing Craft Assault developed during the Second World War. They are manned and operated by 1 Assault Group Royal Marines.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Landing craft vehicle personnel</span>

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Offshore Raiding Craft Small boat used by the Royal Marines

The Offshore Raiding Craft (ORC) is a small, fast boat used by the Royal Marines for troop insertion, and patrols. The ORC is primarily used when undertaking strategic raiding missions, where speed and covertness is desired. However, it is equally capable when conducting larger scale amphibious operations alongside the larger and more traditional LCACs, LCUs and LCVPs.

<i>Island</i>-class patrol vessel (2013)

The Island-class is a class of Police patrol boat operated primarily by the MOD Police Clyde Marine Unit at HMNB Clyde. They are tasked with protecting high value Royal Navy ships such as the Vanguard-class submarines. Royal Marines currently operate two ex police boats of the class Mull and Rona- these were handed over to the Royal Marines during 2013. Rona and Mull are interchangeable in their roles and can be used by both RM and MDP. The RMs also have a third vessel named Eorsa. Mod Police Portsmouth Marine Unit also operate Gigha and Lewis. Gigha was the prototype and first of class.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Inflatable Raiding Craft</span>

The Inflatable Raiding Craft (IRC) is a series of fast raiding and assault craft in service with the Royal Navy (incl. the Royal Marines and the Special Boat Service). Despite being among the smallest of the amphibious craft, the IRC is one of the most widely used due to its mobility and versatility. The IRC is essentially a type of inflatable boat, the American equivalent is the Combat Rubber Raiding Craft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">LCAC(L)</span> Amphibious hovercraft

The Landing Craft Air Cushion (Light), or LCAC(L), is a small amphibious hovercraft able to transverse both land and water. Like all amphibious landing craft in the Royal Navy, they were operated by the Royal Marines to transport troops or equipment from ship to shore during an amphibious landing.

In 1989 the Royal Navy was under the direction of the Navy Department in the UK Ministry of Defence. It had two main commands, CINCFLEET and Naval Home Command.

References

  1. ↑ The Royal Navy Handbook, p. 106
  2. ↑ "The Military Balance 2012", International Institute for Strategic Studies, pp. 170-171
  3. ↑ The Royal Navy Handbook (2003), Conway Maritime Press.
  4. 1 2 Jim Dorschner (27 May 2009). "Special Delivery". Jane's Defence Weekly. 46 (21): 28.
  5. 1 2 3 Bush, Steve (2014). British Warships and Auxiliaries. Maritime Books. pp. 35–39. ISBN   978-1904459552.
  6. ↑ "Royal Navy Fleet Poster p.21" (PDF). Navy News. February 2023. Retrieved 13 June 2023.
  7. ↑ "Griffon Hoverwork secure Ministry of Defence contract". Bland Group. 19 November 2019. Retrieved 14 June 2023.
  8. ↑ "LCAC Hovercraft - UKSF Gear". Elite UK Forces. Retrieved 14 June 2023.
  9. ↑ @NavyLookout (15 December 2023). "@NavyLookout Royal Marine Griffon 2400TD LCAC hovercraft laid up in the car park at @HMSsultan" (Tweet). Retrieved 17 December 2023– via Twitter.
  10. 1 2 Royal Marines - Landing Craft, royalnavy.mod.uk, Retrieved 15 June 2014
  11. ↑ "UK Royal Navy revamp their amphibious raiding craft". Naval Technology. 8 February 2024. Retrieved 9 February 2024.
  12. ↑ "UK Royal Navy revamp their amphibious raiding craft". Naval Technology. 8 February 2024. Retrieved 9 February 2024.
  13. ↑ "Royal Navy Fleet Poster p.21" (PDF). Navy News. February 2023. Retrieved 13 June 2023.
  14. ↑ "Portfolio". Amgram. Retrieved 26 October 2017.
  15. ↑ "Royal Navy Fleet Poster p.21" (PDF). Navy News. February 2023. Retrieved 13 June 2023.
  16. ↑ Allison, George (21 September 2018). "UK to purchase additional SEAL Delivery Vehicles for Astute submarines" . Retrieved 26 April 2019.
  17. ↑ Royal Marines host Swedish colleagues at new amphibious centre, royalnavy.mod.uk, 20/02/2013
  18. ↑ Navy News: January 2012 - Feeling the Need For Speed, content.yudu.com, pp. 22-23
  19. ↑ Royal Marines take delivery of new Island Class vessels, royalnavy.mod.uk, 07/03/2013
  20. ↑ 15m Police Boat Archived 2014-07-14 at the Wayback Machine , holyheadmarine.co.uk, Retrieved 15 June 2014
  21. ↑ "15m Patrol Boat – Eorsa" . Retrieved 26 April 2019.
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