The Ministry of Defence has issued a formal procurement pipeline notice confirming updated timelines for the Commando Insertion Craft (CIC) programme, part of the wider transformation of the Royal Marines under the Commando Force initiative.

Published on 20 May 2025, the UK1 pipeline notice confirms the MOD’s intention to issue a tender by 1 December 2025 for the design, manufacture, and support of the new vessels. The planned contract period is set from 31 December 2026 to 31 December 2033.

This notice does not mark a new decision to proceed with the CIC programme — which has been publicly signalled for some time — but represents a routine update under the Procurement Act 2023 to inform industry of forthcoming opportunities.

The Commando Insertion Craft is intended to provide the Royal Marines with a fast, low-signature platform capable of delivering small teams and equipment from ships at distance, enhancing the UK’s littoral strike capability. Designed for operations in contested coastal zones, the craft will support both combat and crisis response roles.

Although no contract value or quantity is listed in the notice, previous defence planning documents have indicated a requirement for around 20 craft, with funding likely to exceed £190 million.

The procurement falls under the “defence and security” special regime and is classified under CPV code 34521000 for specialised boats. The notice highlights suitability for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), in line with the MOD’s commitment to widening industry access.

A dedicated industry day is expected to be held in the coming weeks to outline programme requirements and expectations ahead of the tender phase. This follows earlier indications from MOD officials that the CIC project would involve sustained engagement with industry to refine specifications and delivery models.

The CIC will ultimately play a key role in enabling Royal Marines to conduct missions from Littoral Response Group platforms and future amphibious vessels, forming part of the UK’s effort to maintain a modern, responsive force in an increasingly contested maritime environment.

Adam Barr
Adam Barr
A 29-year-old freelance journalist based in Glasgow, he previously worked in the operations team at a major events company and now covers military affairs and technology for several publications.

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22 COMMENTS

  2. I understand there’s to be three levels of new command craft, with the new insertion craft being the smallest, MRSS the largest and a utility craft sitting somewhere in the middle.

    • Thanks, I wasn’t aware of that Utilty Craft, which I assume replaces LCU.
      I was about to spit my tea out that no way does 20 replace the varied LCVP in the LPD LC Sqns, plus 539, 10, and 11 Sqns assets as well, never mind the LCUs on top.

      • Don’t get to caught up on the new titles RM units have. They sound great but have no substance. 10 Squadron is basically what was LC wing based at the hard in Hamworthy. The hard was a great facility where all craft could be pulled from the water either on cradles or by crane. Complete overhauls were completed by a mixture of civilian and RN staff. There was normally six to eight LCU there and around eight LCVP. A GRP shop was on site also. A small beach so demonstrating kit to Staff Colleges,VIP visits, initial recruit amphibious training could all take place. When an LPD went into drydock or repair their craft would decamp there. What is now at Tamar is frankly pathetic.
        11 Squadron is what was ATTURM based at Instow. The entire staff was civilian with one resident CSGT RM. The camp is the size of a large football pitch with Zeta berth further along the river, which was parking for one LCU and one LCVP. They also had a BARV a Volvo 440 and some very elderly DUKW. Trials as in the name were conducted on waterproofing as were training courses. All LC courses visited for surf training on Braunton Burrows. Craft trials were also conducted mainly beach and surf based. To call Instow a Squadron is beyond a joke although it is probably commanded by a half Colonel.
        Sadly even 539 has been downgraded from when it could deploy a full beach unit much enhanced from the LPD beach units with the addition of extra craft and kit such as an all terrain Coles crane with a decent lift capacity. Useful for a number of tasks although in Norway always seemed to have an LCVP dangling from it. Usually after an encounter with ice.

        • Morning Royal.
          Thank you. I was aware of ATTURM and LC Wing so wasnt under the impression they were entire Sqns.
          I’ve lamanted MoD rebranding here before, they name change all the time as part of the spin. Assume this time it was due to putting it all in 1 AG RM when it was expanded.
          But I was surprised at your take on the new LC facility at Devonport Turnchapel, I thought it was purpose built so would have all the facilities needed.
          And it brought LC training closer to the bulk of the Corps, the Brigade, and the LPDs themselves.
          So it sort of made sense to me?
          Finally, the hard at Lake Drive is also used by the SBS. It made no sense to me to have RM training at Poole, no more than you’d have army training at Credenhill.
          SF should have full use of those places, in Pooles case alongside the SMG, if it still exists.

          • I think you will find that Turnchapel has gone the way of Royal William Yard. Gentrification is the buzz word. All civilian now. The LC contingent is in RM Tamar. Very north end of the Dockyard what was the Frigate basin. Just below Drake. Google satellite shows clearly the number of berths.
            As for the Hard all of RM Poole has for a long time now all been in the hands of what was Shaky Boats. So joint SF.
            Poole for me made perfect sense as an LC base. Haul out and workshop facilities were very good. Civilian staff that new the kit inside out. Based in one of the worlds largest natural harbours allowed for training in just about all weathers.
            The reason they moved was basically SB had them kicked out. There was no good place for them to go. So cohabit with 539 was deemed a good idea. Only it was not. So now we have RM Tamar which is a Marina basically. With all repairs done by contractors.

          • Thanks Ex Royal.
            Apologies, I indeed used the wrong place name, Turnchapel. . It was the new RM Tamar building I was referring to.
            I wondered if DSF was behind RM training leaving Poole.

      • I can assure you that your assumption are broadly correct on the DSF involvement. SBS in the seventies and up until 1982 was a small organisation. It then started to grow. Taking on more tasks and a quiet warfare was simmering with the Desmonds. By the mid eighties they became supercharged and new kit and manpower grew what seemed like weekly. By large amounts. They were constantly looking for more property within RM Poole.
        By the nineties the writing was on the wall for DTP and as such technical training wing. A move to Leconfield for driver training under tri service training was coming in the wind. SB were already eyeing up the various offices and associated buildings. Joint SF was in the wind by the end of the nineties and SB was an unstoppable train. As the main resident now the cuckoo hatchling set about ejecting the remaining chick’s.. LC being seen as sitting on desirable property. There days were numbered. 148 have clung on for dear life. Not sure how that relationship is now. Not had an update for years on that. Last I heard they were still there. Although I could get an update on that in June.

        • I understand 148 are still there. And given their specialist role, a stepping stone to SF anyway.
          Also the SMG support SBS.
          The SBS Signal Sqn I think are also there, which is part of 18.
          There is also a part of the RM Reserve, who I assume are SBS (R) element, and I think RM Band Poole.

          • No band in Poole. Nelson, CTCRM and Plymouth on the South Coast.
            SF would never allow the band in there. It really is a very tight closed shop. I don’t and have never seen 148 as a stepping stone to SF. I worked with them closely for a number of years it’s a very close specialist unit. In fact in the years I worked with them nobody left.
            SF very much bring in their own close air support. Usually they are out of reach of NGS or Arty. So comes from above.
            How 148 is still at Poole is a mystery to me. I know there was an incident some years back where SF tried to oust them in an in your face action. I say SF it’s very much the SB contingent. I will find out in a few weeks how they manage it. Keep you posted.

          • Interesting. Having seen them jumping wet into Studland Bay as part of their STA role I thought, much like Pathfinder Platoon, from which many do move on, that that’d be a good position pre selection.
            Assume then when Stonehouse closes they’ll co locate with the rest of 29, either at Devonport or Chivenor, if there’s room?

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