Landing Craft Utility L-56 Commissioned into Indian Navy

Landing Craft Utility (LCU) LCU L56 was commissioned into Indian Navy at Naval Dockyard, Visakhapatnam. Indian Navy Ship LCU L-56 is the 6th ship of Landing Craft Utility (LCU) MK IV class. Landing Craft Utility is 100th warship built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Ltd (GRSE), Kolkata. With this it has become 1st shipyard in the country to do so.

About INS LCU 56

It is an amphibious ship. Its primary role is transportation and deployment of Armoured Vehicles, Main Battle Tanks, Troops and Equipment from ship to shore.

Based in Port Blair: LCU L56 would be administered and based in Port Blair. It would be under Naval Component Commander (NAVCC) in Andaman and Nicobar Command (ANC).

Advantages: Induction of LCU 56 will add to Maritime and Humanitarian and Disaster Relief (HADR) capability of ANC. Ship will be deployed for multi-role activities like Coastal Patrolling, Search and Rescue (SAR) operations, Disaster Relief operations, Beaching operations as well as Surveillance operations along Andaman and Nicobar Group of Islands.

Features: Displacement of 900 tonnes; Measures 62 metres in length and is fitted with two MTU diesel engines, which provide a sustainable speed of more than 15 knots. Ship is equipped with state-of-art equipment and is armed with two 30 mm CRN-91 guns manufactured by Ordnance Factory, Medak, in Telangana.

Ship is manned by a team comprising 4 officers and 56 sailors and is also capable of carrying 150 troops.

Month: Current Affairs - July, 2019