Indian Navy commissions fifth Landing Craft Utility ship

The Indian Navy on Wednesday inducted the IN LCU L55, the fifth ship of Landing Craft Utility (LCU) Mk-IV class. The ship was commissioned into the Navy by Vice Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ajit Kumar.

Designed and built by M/s Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE), LCU Mk-IV 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.

This ship can be used for activities like beaching operations, search and rescue, disaster relief operations, supply and replenishment and evacuation from distant islands. Commanded by Lt Cdr Abhishek Kumar, the ship has a complement of five officers, 45 sailors and is capable of carrying around 160 troops

The ship is capable of transporting various kinds of combat equipment such as the Main Battle Tank, T72 and other vehicles. It is also fitted with various advanced systems such as the Integrated Bridge System (IBS) and the Integrated Platform Management System (IPMS).

The remaining three ships of the same class are in advanced stages of construction at M/S GRSE, Kolkata and are scheduled to be inducted over the next year and a half.