Indian Navy commissions fourth ship of Landing Craft Utility MK-IV

The Indian Navy on May 25, 2018 commissioned the IN LCU L54, the fourth ship of Landing Craft Utility MK-IV, into its fleet at Port Blair.

The ship was commissioned by Vice Admiral GS Pabby, AVSM, VSM and Chief of Materiel. The Commissioning of L-54 is in line with the Union Government’s Make in India initiative.

IN LCU L54

• IN LCU L54 is the fourth Landing Craft Utility (LCU) Mk-IV class to be inducted into the Indian Navy.

• The ship was indigenously designed and built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers, Kolkata.

• The ship is commanded by Lieutenant Commander Munish Sethi and has a complement of 05 officers, 41 sailors and is capable of carrying 160 troops in addition.

• The ship, carrying 830 tons, is capable of transporting various kinds of combat equipment such as the Main Battle Tank, T72 and other vehicles.

• It is fitted with up to date equipment and advanced systems like Integrated Bridge System (IBS) and Integrated Platform Management System (IPMS).

About Landing Craft Utility (LCU) MK-IV ships

• Landing Craft Utility (LCU) MK-IV fleet of ships is an amphibious programme with its primary role being transportation and deployment of Main Battle Tanks, Armoured Vehicles, troops and equipment from ship to shore.

• The fleet containing a total of 8 ships will be based at the Andaman and Nicobar Command.

• The ships can be deployed for multirole activities like beaching operations, search and rescue, disaster relief operations, supply and replenishment and evacuation from distant islands.

• The remaining four ships of the same class are in advanced stages of construction at Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers, Kolkata and are scheduled to be inducted over the next year.

• The induction of these ships will contribute to the nation’s maritime security needs and is in consonance with Prime Minister’s drive for ‘Make in India’.