Bangladesh launches third locally built LCT for navy

The third and final 74 m LCT on order for the Bangladesh Navy, seen here at its launch ceremony. (Bangladesh Navy)

Khulna Shipyard Limited (KSY) has launched the third and final landing craft tank (LCT) on order for the Bangladesh Navy.

The vessel, which has been designated as LCT-104, was launched on 24 October 2026, according to Bangladesh's Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Directorate in a statement on the same day.

LCT-104 was built by KSY based on a design supplied by Canada's Vard Marine, ISPR said.

The three LCTs are intended primarily to support amphibious and logistics operations involving the Bangladesh Army and Navy, the directorate added.

A separate ISPR release issued for the launch of LCT-101 in January 2026 said each vessel can carry six tanks, 12 armoured personnel carriers (APCs), or 18 military vehicles.

The same release said this capacity is intended to support combined army-navy amphibious operations in Bangladesh's coastal regions.

Contract for the LCT programme was signed between KSY and Bangladesh's Directorate General of Defence Purchase (DGDP) on 1 June 2022, with Lloyd's Register listed as the classification society.

The LCT displaces about 1,500 tonnes and it has an overall length of 74.5 m and a moulded breadth of 13 m.

Propulsion is provided by two US-origin Caterpillar diesel engines, each rated at 3,004 bhp, and the vessel has a maximum speed of 15 kt.

Neither KSY's published specifications nor ISPR's launch announcements identify an armament fit for the LCTs.

For more, please see Bangladesh Navy receives former HMS Enterprise