DE&S has completed the sale of three Landing Craft Air Cushion (Light) (LCAC(L)) hovercraft and all associated spares to the Pakistan Navy.
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.
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 defense 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.
Through the managed sale and disposal of surplus UK defense equipment, the DE&S Exports and Sales team ensures economic returns while extending the operational life of military capabilities.
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.