NewDelhi : IN LCU L56, the sixth ship of the Landing Craft Utility(LCU) MK IV class was commissioned into the Indian Navy by Vice Admiral Atul Kumar Jain, AVSM, VSM Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Naval Command at a ceremony held at Naval Dockyard, Visakhapatnam today, 29 Jul 19.
LCU Mk-IV ship is an amphibious ship with its primary role being transportation and deployment of Main Battle Tanks, Armored 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.
Designed to accommodate 216 personnel, LCU 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 Mk-IV Class of ships are fitted with close to 90% indigenous content in line with the Government of India’s ‘Make in India’ initiative towards achieving self-reliance and indigenisation.
The Mk-IV LCU Vessels are a further improved version of the Mk-III LCU Vessels presently being used by the Indian Navy. The entire design of LCU Mark-IV ship has been developed in-house by GRSE as per requirements specified by Indian Navy.
Addressing the gathering, Vice Adm Jain congratulated the GRSE for being the first shipyard in the country to have built the 100th warship. He stated that the induction of LCU 56 will add to Maritime and HADR capability of ANC as the ship will be deployed for multi-role activities such as Beaching operations, Search and Rescue missions, Disaster relief operations, Coastal patrol, and Surveillance operations along the Andaman and Nicobar Group of Islands. He later unveiled the Commissioning Plaque and dedicated the ship to the nation.