Future Commando Force: the United Kingdom invests 500 million pounds in enhancing the Royal Marines

The British Ministry of Defence has outlined an ambitious investment plan to modernize the UK Commando Force, the historic elite force of the Royal Marines (formerly 3 Commando Brigade), recently renamed by King Charles III.

A 500 million pound modernization plan

As part of the defense investment plans (DIP) presented last June, a budget of 500 million pounds (equivalent to about 585 million euros) has been allocated for the transition to the Future Commando Force. This amount is part of a broader framework to strengthen the British armed forces, which includes additional funds of 15 billion pounds by 2030, bringing the total expenditure for the period to 298 billion pounds.

The comprehensive modernization plan of British defense also includes:

• 63 billion pounds for nuclear deterrence;
• 8.6 billion pounds for the GCAP air combat system;
• 5 billion pounds for drones and autonomous systems;
• 2 billion pounds for additional operational needs.

Focus on the Arctic and autonomous technologies

The specific investments for the Future Commando Force aim to strengthen presence and operational capabilities in the Arctic. Of these 500 million, 100 million will be specifically allocated to:

• Autonomous, unmanned, and digital technologies;
• New combat vessels;
• Amphibious ships.

The Joint Commando Craft (JCC) project

One of the technological pillars of this plan is the Joint Commando Craft (JCC) project, developed in collaboration with Norway. The goal is to equip with amphibious deployment boats characterized by a "low signature" (difficult to detect) and high speed.

The technical specifications include:

• Displacement: maximum 60 tons.
• Capacity: up to 24 equipped commandos and loads up to 6 tons (including light vehicles).
• Range: multi-day navigation capability.

The plan includes the joint acquisition of 30 units to address the retirement of the current LCVP Mk 5, scheduled by 2027. In addition to tactical needs, the initiative responds to maritime security requirements, including monitoring the so-called "Russian shadow fleet."

Historical notes and current structure

The UK Commando Force boasts a tradition dating back to 1943, the year of the birth of the 3rd Special Service Brigade. Today, the structure remains a fundamental component of British defense and includes:

• Operational units: 40, 42, and 45 Commando (Royal Marines) and the 29 Commando Regiment (Royal Artillery).
• Specialized units: 43 Commando (Fleet Protection Group), 47 Commando (Raiding Group), 30 Commando (Information Exploitation Group), 24 Commando Regiment (Royal Engineers), and the Commando Logistics Regiment.
• Air support: Commando Helicopter Force, assigned to the Joint Aviation Command.