The Indian Navy is planning to procure six new Landing Craft Utility (LCU) Mk V vessels from Indian shipyards to strengthen its amphibious operations, logistics and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) capabilities.
The Navy has issued a Request for Information (RFI) to Indian shipyards for the proposed procurement.
An LCU is a strong, steel-built vessel designed to move troops, vehicles and heavy military equipment between ships and the shore. These vessels can also be used for humanitarian missions, disaster relief, medical evacuation and other specialised maritime operations.
The Indian Navy currently operates eight active LCUs, all from the indigenous Mk IV class. These vessels have a displacement of around 830 tonnes and are mainly deployed under the Andaman and Nicobar Command for beaching, transportation and humanitarian missions.
The existing LCUs can carry Main Battle Tanks such as the Arjun and T-72, armoured vehicles and up to 160 troops.
According to the RFI, the new vessels will be procured under the Buy (Indian-Indigenously Designed, Developed and Manufactured) category as part of the Defence Procurement Procedure 2.0. Shipyards will also have to provide details of the indigenous content of the vessels.
The proposed 1,500-tonne LCU Mk V should be capable of carrying at least four Main Battle Tanks, four BMP Infantry Combat Vehicles and 190 troops.
The vessel is expected to have a maximum speed of at least 15 knots and an endurance of around 4,500 nautical miles, according to the RFI.
The Navy has also asked shipyards to treat the RFI as advance information so they can obtain the required government clearances and prepare the necessary infrastructure, manpower and materials for the project.
The planned acquisition is expected to add to the Navy’s ability to move troops and equipment during amphibious operations while also supporting disaster relief and other maritime missions.
