MSME shipyard in Thane builds missile barges for Indian Navy
25 Jan 2024
Indian Navy on Wednesday took delivery of the first Ammunition-cum-Torpedo-cum-Missile (ACTCM) barge of the LSAM series (LSAM 19) built by Thane, Maharashtra-based private shipyard Suryadipta Projects Pvt Ltd.
These barges would provide impetus to operational commitments of Indian Navy by facilitating transportation, embarkation and disembarkation of articles/ ammunition to Naval ships - both alongside jetties and at outer harbours - according to a defence ministry release.
The defence ministry signed the contract for building the ACTCM barge with the MSME shipyard Suryadipta Projects Pvt Ltd on 5 March 2021.
These barges are indigenously designed and built under relevant Naval rules and regulations. Naval Science and Technological Laboratory, Visakhapatnam carried out the model testing of the barge during design stage.
The barge, built under the classification rules of Indian Register of Shipping (IRS), has a service life of 30 years.
All major/auxiliary equipment for the barge were sourced from indigenous manufacturers. These barges are proud flag bearers of the government’s `Make in India’ initiative and the extension of government-industry partnership to small and medium industries as well.
A total of eleven such barges are under construction, which when ready will be delivered to the Indian Navy.
The defence ministry on Wednesday also signed a contract with Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd (MDL) for acquisition of 14 Fast Patrol Vessels (FPVs) for the Indian Coast Guard (ICG). Under the Rs1,070-crore contract, MDL will design, develop and manufacture these FPVs under Buy (Indian-IDDM) category and will be delivered in about 63 months.
These high-tech high vessels will have advanced features and will be equipped with multipurpose drones, wirelessly controlled remote water rescue craft lifebuoy and AI capability etc, enabling greater flexibility and operational edge to the ICG to face multidimensional challenges.
These modern FPVs will play a critical role in enhancing fisheries protection and monitoring, control and surveillance, anti-smuggling operations, search and rescue operations, including in shallow waters, assistance to ship/crafts in distress, towing assistance and monitoring during marine pollution response operations, anti-piracy operations. The acquisition of these FPVs is aimed at boosting ICG's capability and reinforces the increased focus of the government towards maritime security.
