Garden Reach builds landing craft utility ship for Indian Navy
16 Jan 2015
The third ship of the Landing craft utility ship (LCU) Mk IV project, Yard 2094, for the Indian Navy was launched at Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Ltd (GRSE), Kolkata, on Friday.
Launching of Yard 2094, designed in-house and built by GRSE for the Indian Navy marks a step in self-reliance in defence shipbuilding.
LCU L53 is the third vessel in the series of eight landing craft utility ships being built by GRSE for the Indian Navy.
The first LCU was launched on 12 March, and the second on 23 September, last year. These ships will play significant role in transportation of main battle tanks, armoured vehicles and troops of the Indian Army during amphibious operations.
The ship will be fitted with an advanced integrated platform management system for remote control of propulsion, auxiliary and power generating equipment.
Two CRN-91 indigenous 30 MM guns to provide fire support during operations will also be fitted onboard. The ship can be deployed for maritime roles like maritime security, beaching/un-beaching, humanitarian relief operations and evacuation from distant islands, search and rescue operations and peace-keeping missions.
Speaking on the occasion, Vice Admiral Sunil Lanba, Vice Chief of the Naval Staff commended the contributions made by GRSE towards meeting the Navy's growing requirements of state-of-art warships.
He also lauded GRSE and its team of designers, engineers, technicians, quality controllers and the members of Warship Overseeing Team for their untiring efforts in successfully achieving this significant milestone of launching of Yard 2094.
He appreciated the efforts put in by GRSE and other private sector industries for their valuable contributions towards achieving Indian Navy's dream of transformation from a ''Buyers Navy'' to a ''Builders Navy''.
