The Pakistan Marine Corps has officially inducted three 2400 TD class hovercrafts into its inventory to significantly enhance its operational capabilities in the harsh coastal and marshland areas of southern Sindh province. This strategic move stands out as a key step in Pakistan’s comprehensive modernisation process to strengthen its rapid reaction and amphibious capabilities in coastal areas.
Operational Readiness Visit and Formal Delivery
on 26 October 2025, Admiral Naveed Ashraf, Commander of the Pakistan Navy, inspected the combat preparations at forward outposts in the Creeks Region. During this inspection, three state-of-the-art 2400 TD hovercraft were officially handed over to the Pakistan Marine Corps and joined the fleet.
This development, announced through the official channels of the Pakistan Navy, marks a critical threshold in the modernisation of the country’s coastal capabilities. Hovercrafts will play a vital role in coastal security and amphibious mobility, especially in areas where conventional naval vessels have difficulty manoeuvring, such as tidal flats, marshes and estuaries surrounded by mangrove forests. With the commissioning of these platforms, the operational reach and agility of the Pakistan Navy in multiple areas has been increased.
Technical Superiority and Strategic Importance of Hovercraft
The 2400 TD class hovercraft are British-made platforms developed by the UK-based Griffon Hoverwork company. These vehicles glide over shallow waters, mudflats and sand islands using the air cushion principle. This capability minimises draft and wave wake, enabling it to overcome the terrain obstacles faced by conventional boats.
For Pakistan, these hovercrafts offer a practical solution to long-standing operational challenges such as patrolling, interdiction, logistical support and casualty evacuation, especially in the Sir Creek area and the surrounding coastlines with variable channels. The introduction of these platforms into the inventory is fully in line with the Pakistan Navy’s objective of protecting the country’s maritime lines of communication and strengthening its overall coastal defence.
According to Army Recognition, these vehicles delivered to Pakistan were previously used by the UK Royal Marines, decommissioned in 2021, refurbished and transferred to Pakistan in 2025. The refurbishment and sale process was managed by the UK’s Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S) unit.
