UK and Norway commandos join forces for new amphibious landing craft

The close NATO allies are exploring jointly acquiring up to 30 new vessels, named the Joint Commando Craft, capable of carrying elite commandos and their specialist drones and landing and recovering them on hostile shores.

The craft envisaged by the two navies would offer improved speed, endurance, survivability and upgraded handling capabilities over existing raiding craft.

It will give the Norwegian Coastal Ranger Commando and the UK Commando Force, led by the Royal Marines, the ability to conduct drone surveillance and targeting operations, working in all extremes from the open oceans to shallow waterways.

This cooperation comes as the Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry, Luke Pollard MP, visits Norway for bilateral meetings with State Secretaries Gerhardsen and Flåm, underlining the strength and importance of the UK-Norway Defence Partnership.  

His visit follows the landmark Lunna House Defence Agreement signed in December 2025, which deepened cooperation between the two nations across the North Atlantic, the High North, and wider Northern Europe.

Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry, Luke Pollard MP said: “These advanced craft will give our Royal Marines and Norway's Coastal Ranger Commandos the edge in the High North and beyond and, importantly, they represent another opportunity for the UK and Norway to collaborate and improve compatibility across our services. 

“The UK-Norway defence relationship is one of the most productive in NATO, underpinned by the Lunna House agreement, and this Joint Commando Craft will further enhance our work.”

The Request for Information from industry, one of the first steps in the government’s procurement process, is designed to give Norway and the UK the ability to study the market, gain a better understanding of potential suppliers, technical performance, price, and timelines for delivery of the vessels.

The Lunna House agreement will see the two countries develop their combined military clout, including investment in weapons and programmes for uncrewed mine-hunting and undersea warfare systems, as well as autonomous vehicles for patrolling the depths and an interchangeable fleet of Type 26 frigates.

Commander Joachim Strøm-Erichsen from the Norwegian Defence Material Agency (NDMA) said:  "We are pleased to further strengthen the close defence cooperation between the United Kingdom and Norway. 

“By working together on a joint commando craft capability, we are enhancing our ability to operate side by side in key maritime areas. 

 “This initiative will improve situational awareness and interoperability and demonstrates our shared commitment to security and stability in the North Atlantic and the High North."

Lieutenant Colonel Rob Ginn, from the Commando Force Programme, said:  “The Request for Information is a great step forward for the Joint Commando Craft project as we look at the potential options for this essential capability.  

“This joint venture reflects the deepening cooperation between Norway and the UK but more specifically the specialist commando forces that form a crucial part of our collective security.”