Damen LST 100
NNS Kada during operation Guinex-III | |
| Class overview | |
|---|---|
| Builders |
|
| Operators |
|
| Subclasses | McClung class |
| Built | 2019-present |
| In commission | 2022-present |
| Planned | 44 |
| Active | 1 |
| General characteristics [1] | |
| Type | Landing Ship, Tank |
| Displacement | 4,000 t (3,900 long tons) |
| Length | 100 m (328 ft 1 in) |
| Beam | 16 m (52 ft 6 in) |
| Draught | 3.5 m (11 ft 6 in) |
| Speed | 15 knots (28 km/h; 17 mph) (maximum) |
| Range | 3,400 nautical miles (6,300 km; 3,900 mi) |
| Crew | 18-32 |
| Aviation facilities | Flight deck |
The Damen LST 100 is a class of Landing Ship, Tank designed by the Dutch Damen Group. It is a versatile, non-developmental, sea-going vessel intended for amphibious operations, troop and vehicle transport, and humanitarian assistance. In late 2025, the design gained international prominence when it was selected as the basis for the United States Navy's McClung-class landing ship medium.
Design and development
The LST 100 was developed as part of Damen Group's amphibious series, a range of standardized vessels (from 40 to 120 meters) designed to reduce costs and construction timelines through modularity. Unlike "clean-sheet" military designs, the LST 100 was engineered as a non-developmental, sea-going vessel, meaning it was designed for immediate production using proven commercial shipbuilding standards adapted for naval use.
Some key features are:
- Beachability: The vessel is designed to beach itself on unimproved shorelines, using clam doors and a ramp to offload heavy equipment and personnel directly onto land.
- Cargo Capacity: It features approximately 1,020 m2 (11,000 sq ft) of roll-on/roll-off space. It can carry over 500 tonnes of military hardware, including heavy tanks (like the M1 Abrams) or HIMARS launchers.
- Aviation: The stern includes a flight deck capable of supporting medium-sized helicopters, such as the NH-90 or various UAVs.
Operators
- Nigeria (1)
The Nigerian Navy was the launch customer for the LST 100. The first vessel, LST 1314, was built at Albwardy Damen in Sharjah and delivered in 2022.[2] A second vessel was subsequently ordered.[3]
Future operators
- Australia (8)
In 2024, the Australian Government selected the LST 100 design for the Australian Defence Force’s Landing Craft Heavy (LCH) program. Up to eight vessels are planned to be built domestically by Austal at the Henderson Shipyard.[4][5][6]
- United States (35)
In December 2025, the U.S. Navy selected the LST 100 as the design basis for its Landing Ship Medium (LSM) program (formerly the Light Amphibious Warship). The U.S. plans to build up to 35 ships, designated as the McClung class, to support the Marine Littoral Regiments' "island-hopping" strategy in the Pacific. The U.S. government purchased the design rights for approximately $3.3 million to allow for domestic production across multiple American shipyards.[7][8]
See also
References
- ^ "Landing Ship Transport LST 100". Damen Grouup. Retrieved 18 December 2025.
- ^ "Damen Launches New LST 100 for Nigerian Navy". Naval News. 16 November 2021. Retrieved 18 December 2025.
- ^ "Nigeria orders second LST-100 amphibious ship from Damen". Military Africa. 25 May 2022. Retrieved 18 December 2025.
- ^ "Damen gekozen voor levering nieuwe Australische landingsschepen" (in Dutch). Marineschepen.nl. 25 November 2024. Retrieved 18 December 2025.
- ^ "Australian Defence selects Damen's LST100 for new landing craft fleet". Naval Technology. 25 November 2024. Retrieved 18 December 2025.
- ^ "Australia Taps Damen for Landing Craft Heavy Requirement". Naval News. 22 November 2024. Retrieved 18 December 2025.
- ^ "Landingsschip van Damen gekozen door Amerikaanse marine" (in Dutch). Marineschepen.nl. 5 December 2025. Retrieved 18 December 2025.
- ^ "U.S Marine Corps Selects Design for New LSM Landing Ships". Naval News. 5 December 2025. Retrieved 18 December 2025.