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UK and Netherlands to Build Eight Amphibious Ships Replacing Three Retiring Vessels
The United Kingdom and the Netherlands announced a £2.4 billion program on July 7 to construct eight landing platform dock ships. Each nation will receive four vessels based on a Dutch design, with construction in UK shipyards. The ships are slated to enter service in the early 2030s.
Jul 8, 1:20 PM·1m read2 sources
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The United Kingdom and the Netherlands announced a joint program on July 7 to build eight new landing platform dock amphibious transport ships. Each country will operate four of the vessels under the Amphibious Transport Ship Program, which supersedes the earlier Multi-Role Strike Ship effort. The total program cost stands at £2.4 billion.
The ships will measure 525 feet long with a displacement of 15,000 tonnes and will feature flight decks configured for current and future long-range drones and autonomous systems. Construction will occur in UK shipyards alongside Dutch industry, with the Harland & Wolff facility in Belfast expected to play a central role.
The vessels are based on a Dutch design and are projected to enter service from the early 2030s.
They will replace the two Rotterdam-class LPDs currently operated by the Royal Netherlands Navy. For the UK, the new ships follow the 2024 announcement that HMS Albion and HMS Bulwark would be withdrawn from service in 2025, after the 2018 decommissioning of HMS Ocean.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the partnership combines British industrial expertise with Dutch design and seafaring experience to deliver first-rate platforms for elite amphibious forces and strengthen NATO.
He added that the arrangement delivers long-term security for both nations and helps them stay ahead of future threats. Defense Secretary Dan Jarvis stated that the program builds an even stronger amphibious force with the Netherlands and strengthens defense and deterrence as close NATO allies and Joint Expeditionary Force partners.
