Indian Navy Launches 6th Ammunition Barge Built by Local Shipyard

• India’s Naval arm, the Indian Navy (IN), recently bolstered its capabilities with the launch of the LSAM 20, the sixth barge in its 11 x ACTCM Barge Project. The launch ceremony, held on April 29, 2024, took place at the M/s Suryadipta Project Pvt. Ltd. shipyard in Thane.

KEY HIGHLIGHTS:

• LSAM 20 is an Ammunition Cum Torpedo Cum Missile Barge.
• It was constructed by M/s Suryadipta Projects Pvt. Ltd., a MSME shipyard, showcasing India’s Make in India initiative.
• The contract for building all 11 barges was signed between the Ministry of Defence (MoD) and M/s Suryadipta Projects Pvt. Ltd. on March 5th, 2021.

BENEFITS OF THE ACTCM BARGES:

• These barges will significantly enhance the operational efficiency of the Indian Navy.
• They will facilitate the transportation, embarkation, and disembarkation of critical supplies, including ammunition, to Indian Navy ships at jetties and outer harbors.
• The barges are indigenously designed and built, adhering to the stringent standards of the Indian Register of Shipping.
• Model testing was conducted at the Naval Science and Technological Laboratory in Visakhapatnam during the design phase.