Damen LST 100
NNS Kada during operation Guinex-III | |
| Class overview | |
|---|---|
| Builders |
|
| Operators |
|
| Subclasses | McClung class (USN) |
| Built | 2019-present |
| In commission | 2022-present |
| Planned | 45 |
| 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) |
| Boats & landing craft carried | 2 in davits on foredeck (optional) |
| Capacity | 500 tonnes cargo |
| Troops | 250-282 troops |
| 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.[2]
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.[2]
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.[3]
- 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.[3][4]
- Aviation: The stern includes a flight deck capable of supporting medium-sized helicopters, such as the NH-90 and SH-60 or various UAVs.[3]
Operators
- Nigeria (1+1 planned)
The Nigerian Navy was the launch customer for the LST 100. The first vessel, NNS Kada, was built at Albwardy Damen in Sharjah and delivered in 2022.[5] A second vessel was subsequently ordered.[6]
Future operators
- Australia (8)
In 2024, the Australian Government selected the LST 100 design for the Australian Defence Force’s Landing Craft Heavy (LCH) replacement program. Up to eight vessels are planned to be built domestically by Austal at the Henderson Shipyard. The first ship is planned to commence construction in 2026.[7][4][8]
- 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' Force Design 2030 concept in the Pacific. The U.S. government purchased the design rights for approximately US$3.3 million to allow for domestic production across multiple American shipyards.[9][10][3][11]
See also
- List of amphibious warfare ships
- List of LSTs
- Future of the Royal Australian Navy
- Future of the United States Navy
References
- ^ "Landing Ship Transport LST 100". Damen Grouup. Retrieved 18 December 2025.
- ^ a b "Damen Landing Ship Transport (LST) 100 design selected by NAVSEA for US Navy Landing Ship Medium initiative". Port News. 10 December 2025. Retrieved 19 December 2025.
- ^ a b c d "This Will Be The Navy's New Medium Landing Ship". TWZ. 5 December 2025. Retrieved 19 December 2025.
- ^ a b "Australian Defence selects Damen's LST100 for new landing craft fleet". Naval Technology. 25 November 2024. 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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "US Navy plans up to 35 new Medium Landing Ships based on Damen LST 100". Port News. 10 December 2025. Retrieved 19 December 2025.