Just after 20 days of launching the largest ship of its kind, the LCU L-57 (Landing Craft Utility), the GRSE, on behalf of Indian Navy, launched the eighth ship of its class, LCU L-58 on 17th December.
About Landing Craft Utility L-58 in 9 Points:
- LCU-L58 is the last vessel in the series of eight LCU ships of LCU MK IV project designed and built by GRSE for the Indian Navy.
- LCU L-58 is an amphibious ship meaning it can operate in water as well as on land.
- It was designed by the country’s indigenous warship design and construction company, the Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata.
- In accordance with traditions, an invocation from the Atharva Veda was rendered and the ship was named ‘LCU-L58′ during the launching ceremony.
- Each ship costs around ₹230 crore and almost 90% of the components are indigenously manufactured.
- The ship weighs 830 tonnes and can attain a maximum speed of 15 knots with an endurance of more than 1,500 nautical miles.
- The ship is capable of carrying 2 tanks or 4 special vehicles along with 160 troops for landing at remote beach heads.
- These vessels are armed with 2 CRN 91 naval guns, 4 medium machine guns, 2 heavy machine guns and portable air defence system.
- It can be deployed for multirole activities like beaching operations for landing troops ashore, humanitarian aid and disaster relief operations and evacuation of personnel from distant islands.
All 8 LCU vessels have almost 90% of their components indigenous. They are deployed for maritime security of Lakshadweep Islands in the Arabian Sea and Andaman and Nicobar Islands in the Bay of Bengal.
