Designed by the VARD defense division, based in Vancouver (Canada), both LST and MPLV ships are being proposed in commercial standards, making them affordable designs for emerging countries such as in Africa and South East Asia. The 7 510 LTS variant is currently offered to an undisclosed West African country, VARD told Naval News.
The VARD 7 510 LST is landing ship and logistics vessel designed for the projection and support of forces, amphibious operations and landing, support, of maritime special ops, patrol of EEZs, and humanitarian assistance.
The vessel is fitted with combination watertight bow and stern ramps providing access to an internal Ro-Ro compartment. Vehicles are loaded at the pier via the stern ramp and the bow ramp facilitates landing vehicles on shore.
The vessel is equipped with a fast response craft on either side of the vessel to facilitate boarding operations and to be used to muster life rafts in an emergency scenario. A helideck capable of accommodating a 13 tonne helicopter is located behind the superstructure and a multi-mission working deck is locating forward.
Attacks or cargo helicopters up to Mil Mi-35 size helicopters can take off or land on its flight deck.
Technical characteristics of the VARD 7 510 LST
- Overall length: 100 m
- Breadth molded: 18 m
- Displacement: Unknown
- Max. speed: 16 knots
- Complement: 558
- Range: 4,500 at 12 knots
- Endurance: 21 days
The bigger Vard 7 313 is a multipurpose logistics vessel designed as a flexible platform to aid in force protection, maritime special ops, EEZ patrol and humanitarian assistance. The vessel has significant capabilities of off-loading heavy equipment, carrying cargo, transport troops, launching boats and supporting aviation.
An internal 1,400 m2 Ro-Ro deck accommodates a variety of military equipment, such as tanks, trucks and ISO containers which can be loaded from a pier via ramps on the stern and vessel’s side. Two full-breadth cargo holds located beneath the Ro-Ro deck provide extra storage capacity, while protected areas forward house expansive troop accommodations providing safe and comfortable passage for embarked personnel.
Large open deck areas on each side of the vessel provide secure stowage for two 15 m landing craft and two 11 m RHIBs. Aviation facilities include a 1,080 m2 flight deck capable of landing two medium lift helicopters and a hangar accommodating four. Expansive medical facilities are readily accessible from the flight and boa decks. Substantial internal area is dedicated to configurable offices and operations areas to support missions. Armament includes 1 x 25 mm gun and 2 x 0.50 caliber machine guns.
Technical characteristics of the VARD 7 313 MPLV
- Overall length: 130 m
- Breadth molded: 24 m
- Displacement: Unknown
- Max. speed: 20 knots
- Complement: 74 crew + 32 trainees + 300 embarked personnel
- Range: 8,000 at 16 knots
- Endurance: 30 days
