(NL)LCVP

The (NL)LCVP, which stands for (Netherlands) Landing Craft Vehicle Personnel, is a Dutch LCVP. The Royal Netherlands Navy currently operates twelve LCVP type Mk.V(C) as well as five LCUs for the Marine Corps.

(NL)LCVP type Mk.I
Also known as LCA type Mark I, LCA Mark I or L 9510 type Mk I. These landing crafts were made of polyester and built between 1961 and 1964 by several Dutch shipyards. The polyester hull was built using the sandwich method that involved using layers of polyester. Furthermore, they were equipped with a Rolls Royce diesel engine that could produce 200 bhp and drive the schottel propeller to a maximum speed of 12 knots. The crafts were operated by a crew of three persons. Starting in 1983 they were replaced by the LCA Mark II.

(NL)LCVP type Mk.II
Also known as LCA Mark II or L 9530 type Mk II. The (NL)LCVP type Mk.II first entered service in 1984 and were made of polyester. They were equipped with a DAF DKS 1160/m turbo diesel engine that could produce 260 hp and drive the schottel propeller to a maximum speed of 11 knots. The crafs had a range of 220 miles and were equipped with a Racal-Decca 110 I band navigation radar and a FN FAL 7.62 mm machine gun. Each craft could carry 35 troops, a Land Rover or a BV 202E Snowcat. A first series of 6 ships was built, with a second series of another six planned. The second batch was eventually cancelled in favour of six (NL)LCVP type Mk.III.

(NL)LCVP type Mk.III
Also known as LCA Mark III or L 9536 type LCA Mk III. These crafts were an improved version of the LCA Mark II. They were made of polyester and ordered on 10 December 1988 at van der Giessen-de Noord. The Mark III was equipped with two diesel engines that could produce 750 hp and drive its two propellers to a maximum speed of 14 knots when fully loaded or 16.5 knots when lightly loaded. It could carry a platoon of marines, a Land Rover with trailer or 120 mm mortar, a max of 6600 kg of goods or a Bv 206 snowcat. The crafts had a range of 200 miles at 12 knots and were equipped with a Racal-Decca 110 I band navigation radar. As armament it had a single 7.62 machine gun.

(NL)LCVP type Mk.V(C)
The (NL)LCVP type Mk.V(C) were built as a replacement for the Mk.II and Mk.III. The contract for the construction and delivery of the twelve crafts were signed on 13 December 2006 with Damen Shipyards Gorinchem. They were built in Den Helder by Visser shipyard, with the first four being delivered by 2009 and the last eight by 2011. The design of the Mk.V(C) is based on the British LCVP Mk5.

Replacement
The Mk.V(C) will be replaced from 2025 onwards with 12 new LCVP's and 8 larger Littoral Craft Mobility (LCM).