상륙함 영국, 네덜란드와 공동으로 상륙수송함 8척 건조 계약 체결

[위종민]

영국과 네덜란드가 배수량 15,000톤급의 상륙수송함을 4척씩 건조하기로 합의했네요. 계약규모는 24억 파운드(32억 달러) 규모입니다. 설계는 네덜란드 Damen 제네요. 

영국과 네덜란드, 공동 상륙수송함 건조에 32억 달러 규모 계약 체결

길이 160m, 배수량 1만5,000톤의 이 함정은 병력과 차량, 장비는 물론 드론도 탑재하게 된다.

장굴룬 싱싯

2026년 7월 8일

영국과 네덜란드 정부는 양국 군을 위한 새로운 상륙수송함 함대를 건조하기 위해 24억 파운드(32억 달러) 규모의 계약을 최종 체결했다.

이번 계약은 7월 7일 튀르키예 앙카라에서 열린 NATO 정상회의에서 키어 스타머 영국 총리와 롭 예텐 네덜란드 총리가 서명했다.

영국 국방부(MoD)에 따르면 새 함정들은 강화된 영국-네덜란드 연합 상륙전력의 "중추" 역할을 하게 된다.

이 함정들은 네덜란드 설계를 기반으로 하며, 네덜란드 산업계와 협력하여 영국 조선소에서 건조될 예정이다.

이번 사업을 통해 총 8척의 상륙수송함이 건조되며, 영국과 네덜란드는 각각 4척씩 운용하게 된다.

길이 160m, 배수량 1만5,000톤인 이 함정은 병력과 차량, 장비는 물론 드론도 탑재할 수 있도록 설계되었다.

비행갑판은 현재 운용 중인 장거리 드론뿐 아니라 차세대 장거리 드론과 자율 무인체계도 운용할 수 있도록 설계되어 있으며, 영국 해군이 추진 중인 하이브리드 해군 체제를 지원하게 된다.

댄 자비스 영국 국방장관은 "우리는 네덜란드와 함께 더욱 강력한 상륙전력을 구축하고 있으며, 긴밀한 NATO 동맹국이자 합동원정군(JEF) 파트너로서 우리의 방위력과 억제력을 강화하고 있다. 양국 군은 동일한 장비를 운용하고 함께 훈련에 참가할 것이며, 필요할 경우 함께 싸워 승리할 수 있을 것이다. 긴밀한 협력을 통해 우리가 직면한 위협에 대응함으로써 우리 국가와 유럽을 더욱 안전하게 만들고 있다."라고 말했다.

이번 협정에는 영국 해군과 네덜란드 해군 간 훈련, 전개 및 작전 분야에서 협력을 확대하는 계획도 포함되어 있다.

영국 국방부는 동일한 상륙수송함을 운용하는 것이 두 해군의 통합을 더욱 심화하는 중요한 단계라고 설명했다. 특히 양국 군이 드론과 자율 무인기술에 대한 투자를 확대하고 있는 상황에서 그 의미가 크다고 밝혔다.

이번 사업은 영국 국방투자계획을 지원하는 것과 더불어, 영국이 노르웨이에 Type 26 호위함 5척을 공급하기로 한 기존 계약에 이은 것이다. 영국 정부는 이 사업이 영국 내 4,000개의 일자리를 지원하고 있다고 설명했다.

양국은 또한 해저 기반시설을 보호하고, 새롭게 등장하는 국방 및 안보 분야의 도전에 공동으로 대응하겠다는 의지도 밝혔다.

영국 해군, 네덜란드 설계를 기반으로 한 상륙함 4척 건조

영국과 네덜란드는 24억 파운드 규모의 공동 사업을 통해 새로운 상륙수송함을 도입하기로 공식 확정했다. 양국은 각각 4척씩 운용하게 된다.

이번 결정은 6월 30일 발표된 국방투자계획(Defence Investment Plan)에서 이미 예고되었으며, 오늘 튀르키예에서 열린 NATO 정상회의에 맞춰 보다 자세한 내용이 공개되었다. 영국 해군용 함정은 네덜란드의 함정 설계 기술을 활용해 영국에서 건조될 예정이다. 당초 영국은 다목적 타격함(MRSS) 최대 6척을 도입해 앨비언급 상륙지휘함(LPD) 2척, 베이급 상륙지원함 3척, RFA 아거스(Argus)를 대체할 계획이었다. 그러나 예산 압박으로 이러한 계획은 축소되었다.

정부 발표에서는 채택된 설계를 명시하지 않았지만, 새 함정은 길이 160m, 배수량 1만5,000톤 규모이며, 네덜란드의 명칭을 따라 공식적으로 상륙수송함(Amphibious Transport Ship·ATS)으로 불린다. 이러한 제원은 지난 2년 동안 공동 사업 후보로 떠오른 다멘 네이벌(Damen Naval)의 엔포서(Enforcer) 15628 LPD 개념과 매우 유사하다. 다만 이 함정이 전통적인 상륙수송도크함(LPD) 형태인지, 전갑판형 상륙헬기모함(LPH) 형태인지는 아직 분명하지 않다.

엔포서 15628은 현대적인 설계이지만, 웰독과 선미 비행갑판을 갖춘 전통적인 상륙수송도크함(LPD) 형태를 유지하고 있다. 초기 엔포서 설계는 영국 왕립보조함대(RFA)의 베이급 상륙지원함과 네덜란드 로테르담급, 스페인 갈리시아급 상륙함의 기반이 되었다. 다멘은 향후 영국과 네덜란드의 요구를 염두에 두고 2023년 엔포서 계열을 완전히 새롭게 설계해 공개했다.

엔포서 15628은 길이 약 156m, 만재배수량 약 1만4,000톤으로, 2만 톤급 앨비언급 강습상륙함보다 상당히 작다. 그러나 미래 코만도 부대(Future Commando Force) 개념에 최적화된 매우 유연한 플랫폼을 제공한다. 기본 설계는 약 150명의 승조원과 임무에 따라 430~560명의 병력을 수용할 수 있다. 1,530㎡ 규모의 차량 갑판과 침수식 웰독, 측면 RoRo 출입구, 2개 헬기 동시 운용이 가능한 비행갑판을 갖추고 있어 병력과 차량, 보급품을 헬기와 상륙주정을 통해 상륙시킬 수 있다. 디젤-전기 추진체계를 채택해 최고속도 18노트에서 약 8,000해리의 경제적인 항속거리를 제공한다.

엔포서 15628 설계의 컴퓨터 그래픽 이미지.

이 설계는 상륙전의 변화하는 양상도 반영하고 있다. 냉전 시기에 구상되었던 여단 규모의 대규모 강습상륙을 지원하기보다는, 분산된 연안 작전을 수행하는 보다 소규모이면서 기동성 높은 영국 해병대 부대를 전개하는 데 초점을 맞추고 있다. 또한 넓은 지휘 공간과 의료시설, 항공 지원 시설, 충분한 임무 공간을 갖추고 있어 재난 구호, 철수 작전, 해양 안보, 인도주의 임무에도 적합하다.

이번 협력은 올해 초 양국의 요구사항 차이로 인해 공동 상륙함 구상이었던 '프로젝트 캐서리나(Project CATHERINA)'가 사실상 중단되었다는 보도 이후, 영국과 네덜란드 간 해군 협력이 다시 활성화되었음을 보여주는 중요한 사례이기도 하다. 양국 정부는 공통 플랫폼을 채택하되, 각 해군이 일부 자국 장비와 임무체계를 탑재할 수 있도록 합의했다. 양국 함정 간 장비 차이를 최소화하면 비용을 절감하고 상호운용성을 높이는 데 도움이 될 것이다. 척당 평균 6억 파운드 수준의 건조비를 달성하려면 엄격한 요구사항 관리와 규모의 경제 확보가 중요할 것으로 보인다.

조달 및 인도 방식은 아직 결정되지 않았지만, 영국 벨파스트의 나반티아 UK(Navantia UK) 조선소가 주 건조 장소로 가장 유력해 보인다. 나반티아 UK의 최고경영자 도나토 마르티네스는 이날 발표한 성명에서 다음과 같이 밝혔다.

"벨파스트의 할랜드 앤드 울프(Harland & Wolff) 조선소는 영국이 이러한 함정을 자체적으로 건조할 수 있는 검증된 국가 역량을 제공한다. 9,850만 파운드 이상의 투자를 통해 시설을 현대화했으며, 현재 유럽에서 가장 첨단적인 조선시설 가운데 하나가 되었다. 나반티아 UK는 이 사업을 전적으로 지원할 것이며, 영국과 네덜란드 정부 및 다른 협력업체들과 함께 21세기 해군 전력을 구축할 준비가 되어 있다."

함정 인도 일정은 아직 명확하지 않다. 루크 폴러드 국방장관은 전날 의회 질의에서 이 함정들이 "2030년대에" 실전 배치될 것이라는 정도만 약속했다. 이는 지금으로부터 3년 뒤일 수도 있고, 13년 뒤일 수도 있는 매우 폭넓은 일정이다.

적어도 현재로서는 대형 해군 함정의 시대가 아직 끝난 것은 아닌 것으로 보인다.

UK and Netherlands sign $3.2bn deal for joint amphibious ships

UK and Netherlands sign $3.2bn deal for joint amphibious ships

UK and Netherlands sign $3.2bn deal for joint amphibious ships

The ships, measuring 160m in length and weighing 15,000t, will carry troops, vehicles, and equipment, including drones.

Jangoulun SingsitJuly 8, 2026

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The new vessels will form the core of the strengthened UK-Netherlands amphibious force. Credit: Aritra Deb/Shutterstock.com.

The governments of the UK and the Netherlands have finalised a £2.4bn ($3.2bn) agreement to build a new fleet of amphibious transport ships for both nations’ armed forces.

The agreement was signed by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten during the Nato summit in Ankara, Türkiye on 7 July.

According to the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD), the new vessels will be a “backbone” of a strengthened UK-Netherlands amphibious force.

The ships, using a Dutch design, will be constructed in UK shipyards in collaboration with Dutch industry.

The project will deliver eight amphibious transport ships in total, with each country set to operate four vessels.

At 160 metres (m) in length and weighing 15,000 tonnes (t), the ships are designed to carry troops, vehicles, and equipment, as well as drones.

Their flight decks will accommodate both current and next-generation long-range drones and autonomous systems, supporting the Royal Navy’s ongoing move towards a hybrid navy.

UK Defence Secretary Dan Jarvis said: “We are building an even stronger amphibious force with the Netherlands, strengthening our defence and deterrence as close Nato allies and Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) partners. Our forces will operate the same equipment and deploy on exercises together, so if they need to, we can fight and win together. In close partnership, we are responding to the threats we face to make our nations and Europe safer.”

The agreement includes plans for increased collaboration between the Royal Navy and Royal Netherlands Navy in training, deployment, and operations.

According to the UK MoD, operating identical amphibious vessels is an important step towards closer integration between the two navies, particularly as both militaries invest in drone and autonomous technology.

As well as supporting the UK’s Defence Investment Plan, this arrangement follows a previous contract under which the UK will supply five Type 26 ships to Norway, a project the government says is supporting 4,000 British jobs.

The two nations have also stated their intention to protect undersea infrastructure and work together on emerging defence and security challenges.

Four amphibious vessels to be built for the Royal Navy based on Dutch design - Navy Lookout

Four amphibious vessels to be built for the Royal Navy based on Dutch design - Navy Lookout

July 7, 2026

News Commentaries

Four amphibious vessels to be built for the Royal Navy based on Dutch design

The UK and the Netherlands have confirmed they will jointly procure new amphibious transport ships in a £2.4 billion programme. Each nation will operate 4 vessels. 

This decision was trailed in the Defence Investment Plan published on 30th June, but further detail was announced today to coincide with the NATO Summit in Turkey. The RN vessels will be built in the UK using Dutch naval design expertise. Initial UK planning envisaged up to six Multi-Role Strike Ships (MRSS) replacing the two Albion-class LPDs, three Bay-class landing ships and RFA Argus. Budget pressures reduced those ambitions. 

Although the government announcement does not identify the chosen design, the ship will be 160 metres in length and 15,000 tonnes. They are officially called Amphibious Transport Ship (ATS) in line with the Dutch nomenclature. These dimensions are very similar to the Damen Naval Enforcer 15628 LPD concept that has emerged over the last two years as a candidate for the joint programme. It is unclear if the vessels will be a through-deck LPH-type or a conventional LPD-type.

The Enforcer 15628 is a modern design, although in a traditional-type Landing Platform Dock (LPD) arrangement with well deck and flight deck astern. The original Enforcer design formed the basis of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary Bay-class landing ships as well as the Dutch Rotterdam-class and Spanish Galicia-class amphibious vessels. Damen unveiled the completely redesigned Enforcer family in 2023 with future UK and Dutch requirements in mind.

15628 is nominally 156 metres long and around 14,000 tonnes full-load displacement, significantly smaller than the 20,000 tonne Albion-class assault ships but offers a highly flexible platform optimised for the Future Commando Force concept. The baseline design accommodates a crew of around 150 together with between 430 and 560 embarked troops, depending on mission requirements. A 1,530 m² vehicle deck, floodable well dock, side RoRo access and two-spot flight deck allow troops, vehicles and supplies to be landed by both helicopter and landing craft. Diesel-electric propulsion provides an economical range of around 8,000 nautical miles at a maximum speed of 18 knots. 

Damen CGI of the Enforcer 15628 design.

The design also reflects the changing character of amphibious warfare. Rather than supporting brigade-sized assault landings of the type envisaged during the Cold War, the ships are intended to deploy smaller, more agile Royal Marines units conducting dispersed littoral operations. Large command spaces, medical facilities, aviation support and generous mission spaces also make the ships suitable for disaster relief, evacuation operations, maritime security and humanitarian missions.

The partnership also represents a notable revival of Anglo-Dutch naval cooperation after reports earlier this year suggested that Project CATHERINA, the original concept for a common amphibious ship, had stalled because of differing national requirements. Instead, both governments have now agreed on a shared platform while allowing each navy to fit some national equipment and mission systems. Minimising the divergence between equipment fits across the two nations’ ships will help reduce cost and improve interoperability. If they are to meet an average cost of £600M per ship, tight specification discipline will need to be applied, and economies of scale will be important.

The procurement and delivery arrangements have yet to be addressed, but the Navantia UK Belfast yard would seem well placed to be the main site for their construction. Donato Martinez, their Chief Executive, said in a statement issued today that: “Harland & Wolff shipyard in Belfast gives the UK a proven, sovereign capability to build these vessels. Recapitalised with investment of more than £98.5 million, it is now one of the most advanced shipbuilding facilities in Europe. Navantia UK is fully committed to supporting this programme and stands ready to work with the UK and Dutch governments alongside other partners to deliver this 21st century naval capability.”

The timescale for delivery is unclear as Defence Minister, Luke Pollard, when questioned in Parliament yesterday, would only commit to the ships being in service “in the 2030s”. This is a very broad target that could be anything from 3 to 13 years away.

The age of large naval vessels is not quite over, it would appear…

[백선호]

유사 시 노르웨이 북부로 가는 두 나라의 해병대를 태울 배겠죠?

[위종민]

다양한 용도로 쓸 목적도 있는 것 같은데, 핵심적인 전장은 아마도 그 곳일 것 같습니다. 2차대전 때 노르웨이에서 코만도들이 작전도 많이 뛰었었네요 그러고 보니 ㅎㅎ