The US Navy has confirmed that the Mayport Naval Station, Florida, will become the homeport and primary site for the East Coast littoral combat ships (LCS).

Starting in 2016, the first LCS vessels will be homeported at Mayport, according to the chief of naval operations Admiral Gary Roughead.

The LCS vessels, of which two are now in active service, will be initially based at San Diego.

The Mayport Naval Station is currently the home port for an aircraft carrier, a handful of cruisers and destroyers, and about a dozen frigates that are scheduled to be decommissioned over the next few years.

The LCS is optimised for operations in Southern Command and will undergo missions including counterdrug operations and maritime cooperation work.