Contract completion delivers step-change in craft capability
March 5, 2026By Seawork Press FP
Griffon Marine
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Extended operational range? Tick. Increased speed and improved manoeuvrability? Tick. Successful completion of Griffon Marine’s contract with the UK MOD? Tick.
Griffon Marine has converted the UK Royal Marines’ Offshore Raiding Craft (ORC) fleet into advanced Commando Raiding Craft (CRC), transforming them into versatile, multi-purpose CRCs optimised for the demands of 21st-century littoral warfare.
The programme encompassed structural refurbishment, new propulsion systems, advanced communications and navigation suites, revised crew ergonomics, and enhanced payload flexibility. The conversion also included specialist coatings and corrosion management to ensure durability in austere operational environments.
The modernised craft can be reconfigured rapidly to support a diverse range of missions, from troop insertion and extraction to unmanned aerial system deployment and specialist tasking, significantly enhancing tactical flexibility for expeditionary forces.
The conversion programme aligns with the Royal Marines’ evolving operational doctrine, supporting small, dispersed team operations across complex littoral environments a capability demonstrated by the CRC’s deployment with operational units since its introduction.
Andy Weaver, Head of Support, Griffon Marine said, “The successful completion of the CRC conversion programme across 25 boats underscores Griffon Marine’s deep engineering expertise and our long-standing partnership with the UK Ministry of Defence. This programme represents around 70,000 man hours of skilled engineering, fabrication and systems integration work, which demonstrates our deep understanding of complex military marine platforms”.
Defence Equipment & Support Boats Team Leader Pete Lagden said ,"The successful completion of the Commando Raiding Craft (CRC) conversion programme demonstrates how Defence priorities and objectives have been met by enhancing operational capability, sustainability, and adaptability. This programme, delivered through a strong partnership with industry, aligns with the Royal Marines’ evolving operational doctrine, supporting dispersed team operations in complex littoral environments.
"By modernising 25 Offshore Raiding Craft, the project extends service life, improves performance, and ensures readiness for diverse missions. The integration of advanced systems and durability measures reflects a commitment to innovation and through-life support, directly contributing to Defence’s goal of maintaining a capable, agile, and sustainable force. An excellent collective whole team effort”.
