At DSEI 2025 in London, ATLAS ELEKTRONIK UK (AEUK) unveiled the Sea Dagger—a novel modular surface platform designed to enhance the UK’s Commando Force littoral strike capabilities. Developed in alignment with the Royal Navy’s Future Commando Force (FCF) concept and broader Littoral Response Group (LRG) doctrine, Sea Dagger introduces a flexible vehicle-launching capability optimized for contested coastal environments.
Sea Dagger Concept: Bridging Amphibious Gaps
The Sea Dagger is a modular surface effect ship (SES)-inspired platform that aims to fill a critical gap between traditional amphibious landing craft and larger naval assets. Designed with a catamaran hull form and an open-deck configuration, it can transport and deploy vehicles such as Jackal reconnaissance platforms or Polaris MRZR light tactical vehicles directly onto shore or floating causeways.
According to AEUK representatives at the show, the Sea Dagger has been engineered for rapid embarkation and disembarkation of vehicles and personnel under austere conditions. The platform supports roll-on/roll-off operations via integrated ramps and can be reconfigured for multiple mission profiles including logistics resupply, ISR support platforms, or even unmanned system deployment hubs.
Design Features and Modularity
The Sea Dagger measures approximately 24 meters in length with a beam of around 7 meters. Its shallow draft allows operations in littoral zones inaccessible to larger ships. The deck is open-plan and reinforced to accommodate up to two light vehicles or one medium-weight armored vehicle depending on configuration. The vessel incorporates modular mission bays compatible with NATO-standard containerized systems (e.g., ISO 20-foot modules), enabling rapid role changes.
Key features include:
- Vehicle Deployment Capability: Integrated bow ramp enables direct beach access or transfer onto floating pontoons.
- Crewed or Uncrewed Operation: Designed for both manned control from an enclosed bridge module or remote/autonomous operation using AEUK’s autonomous control suite derived from its ARCIMS USV architecture.
- Mission Flexibility: Can be outfitted with ISR sensors, EW payloads, C2 nodes or UAV launch/recovery gear depending on operational need.
The vessel’s propulsion system is diesel-powered waterjets offering high maneuverability in shallow waters. Endurance is expected to exceed 200 nautical miles depending on payload and sea state.
Tactical Role within Future Commando Force Doctrine
The Sea Dagger aligns closely with the Royal Navy’s evolving Future Commando Force doctrine—focused on agile littoral strike operations using dispersed units supported by scalable maritime platforms. As part of the Littoral Response Group (LRG), which includes Bay-class LSDs and converted commercial support ships like RFA Stirling Castle (formerly MV Island Crown), vessels like Sea Dagger provide last-mile delivery capability across complex terrain such as fjords or archipelagos.
This approach reflects lessons learned from recent conflict zones where traditional amphibious assault methods proved vulnerable to A2/AD threats including loitering munitions and coastal missile batteries. By employing low-signature vessels like Sea Dagger that can operate independently or swarm in groups under autonomous control, the Royal Marines gain flexibility while reducing risk exposure.
Integration Pathway and Trials Outlook
No formal procurement contract has yet been announced by the Ministry of Defence; however, AEUK has indicated that prototype trials are scheduled for late Q1 2026 under Project TRITON—a technology demonstrator initiative focused on unmanned surface systems for littoral operations. The company is already collaborating with DE&S Navy Command Delivery Teams on integration pathways into existing maritime task groups.
If successful in trials, Sea Dagger could be deployed alongside other AEUK-developed systems such as ARCIMS mine countermeasure USVs or optionally-crewed workboats already delivered under Royal Navy autonomous programs. Integration into NATO exercises such as BALTOPS or Joint Warrior may follow pending capability validation milestones.
Industrial Collaboration and Export Potential
The development of Sea Dagger leverages AEUK’s experience in modular naval platforms but also opens opportunities for cross-industry collaboration across UK shipbuilding primes such as Babcock Marine or Harland & Wolff for potential serial production. Given its modularity and relatively low cost compared to traditional landing craft utility (LCU) vessels, it may appeal to allied nations seeking scalable amphibious solutions without major capital investment.
Nations operating small expeditionary forces—such as Norway’s Coastal Ranger Commandos or Baltic states’ special operations units—could benefit from such a platform tailored to operate in confined maritime spaces where stealth and agility are paramount over brute force delivery capacity.
Conclusion
The unveiling of the Sea Dagger at DSEI 2025 signals a shift toward more agile, adaptable amphibious platforms tailored for modern threat environments. With its vehicle-carrying design optimized for contested littorals—and potential integration into unmanned command-and-control architectures—the platform offers both tactical utility and strategic flexibility within emerging maritime doctrines. Pending successful trials under Project TRITON in 2026, it may soon become a key enabler of next-generation commando force projection across NATO’s northern flank and beyond.
