The Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Limited (GRSE), Kolkata, has built the 100th warship for the Indian Navy which is a sixth of the class of eight Landing Craft Utility (LCUs).

The GRSE spokesperson informed that the LCU was commissioned today at Visakhapatnam by Vice Admiral, Atul Kumar Jain, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Naval Command. It was learnt that the entire design of these LCU Mark IV ships has been developed inhouse by GRSE, as per requirements specified by Indian Navy. The construction of the balance two ships is progressing, as per the schedule.

The LCU Mk-IV ship is an amphibious ship with its primary role being transportation and deployment of main battle tanks, armoured vehicles, troops and equipment from ship to shore. These ships based at the Andaman and Nicobar Command, can be deployed for multirole activities like beaching operations, search and rescue, disaster relief operations, supply and replenishment and evacuation from distant islands.

The LCU is 63 m in length and 11 m wide and has a displacement of 830 T with a low draught of 1.7 m. It can achieve speed of 15 knots. The LCU is designed to accommodate 216 personnel and is equipped with two indigenous CRN 91 Guns to provide artillery fire support during landing operations. The ship is fitted with state-of-the-art equipment and advanced systems like Integrated Bridge System (IBS) and Integrated Platform Management System (IPMS). The LCU Mark IV Class of ships are fitted with close to 90 per cent indigenous content in line with the Government. of India’s ‘Make in India’ initiative.

The ships are equipped with bow ramps to enable loading/unloading of combat equipment and vehicles upon beaching. The ships are designed with ballasting and de-ballasting arrangements to achieve the desired trim for smooth beaching operations. Two guns are also installed to provide artillery fire support during landing operations.

The GRSE spokesperson highlighted that currently, GRSE has a strong order book of over Rs.27500 crores, equipping the shipyard with a deep pool of revenue-generating projects 22 ships which include 08 ASWSWC, 03 P17A, 01 ASWC, 04 Nos. Survey Vessels (Large), 02 LCUs, 04 FPVs are in various stages of construction and are expected to be delivered to the Indian Navy and the Indian Coast Guard accordingly. Three ships of Project P17A Advanced Stealth Frigates are being constructed using modular construction technology.