U.S. Navy Dutch LST-100: The U.S. Navy made a big choice on December 5, 2025. On that day, U.S. Secretary of the Navy John C. Phelan posted a video on his official X account. In that video, he said the Navy will use the Dutch Damen Group LST 100 ship design as the base for its new Medium Landing Ship program. This program will help the Marine Corps move fast and stay safe when they work close to shore in dangerous areas. Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link.
Phelan said the design fits what the Marines need for small teams and quick unloading. He explained that the Navy looked at many ideas before picking this one. He said the LST 100 matches what the Marines want for scattered operations on the ocean.
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Why the Navy wants this Ship?
The Navy started the Medium Landing Ship idea to fill a gap between huge amphibious ships and very small landing craft. That gap caused problems for years. Marines needed a strong ship that could travel far, survive threats, and work in places that do not have good ports. The first plan in 2023 fell apart because companies sent in designs that cost too much and tried to do too many things.
The Navy and Marine Corps did not give up in 2021. They changed their plan and focused on making the ship simple, cheap to run, and fast to build. The LST-100 is about 100 meters long and weighs around 4,000 tons. It can travel more than 3,400 nautical miles. It has a bow ramp for beach landings, a stern ramp for ports, cranes, and a flight deck for helicopters. The ship already works for other countries, like Nigeria, which uses the NNS Kada.
The LST-100 design also became popular with allies. In November 2024, Australia picked the same design for its Landing Craft Heavy program. Australia wants the LST-100 to replace old ships and improve its own operations in the Indo-Pacific, reported Army Recognition.
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U.S. Navy Dutch LST-100: Features
The ship can carry more than 1,500 tons of cargo. It has space for vehicles and gear on a 630-square-meter deck. It carries a small crew of 18 to 20 and has room for Marines. Its shallow draft lets it move close to beaches. It can help with supply missions, landings, command tasks, and even security work when it has weapons.
The U.S. Navy does not plan to copy the ship exactly as it is. Instead, it will take Damen’s full 3D design and change it to meet U.S. standards. The Navy will add U.S. systems, gear, and living spaces. Then U.S. shipyards will build it from that finished design. The Navy aims to let several shipyards work together under a Vessel Construction Manager. The Navy wants building to start fast and hopes the first ships will help Marine Littoral Regiments by the early 2030s.
Secretary Phelan said the Navy wants at least 35 ships. The Marines need these ships because big amphibious ships are too few and too expensive. Small craft like LCUs and SSCs cannot travel far enough or work alone. The LST-100 will let Marines move across island chains, set up bases, and stay active even when enemies watch the seas.
The Navy plans to finish the technical package with Damen by FY2027, give out the building contract after that, reach early capability in 2029, and then build many ships into the early 2030s.
