The seventh ship of LCU MK IV project is launched on 24 November 2016 at an impressive ceremony at Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Ltd, Kolkata. The chief guest, Dr Subhash Ramarao Bhamre , Hon’ble Raksha Rajya Mantri along with Vice Admiral DM Deshpande AVSM, VSM, Controller of Warship Production and Acquisition(CWP&A), Chairman & Managing Director GRSE and various other dignitaries were present for the launch ceremony.
- Rear Admiral AK Verma (Retd), Chairman & Managing Director, GRSE Ltd, commenced the proceedings with a formal welcome, which was followed by an address by the Chief Guest.
- LCU-L57 is the seventh vessel in the series of eight Landing Craft Utility Ships being designed and built by M/s GRSE for the Indian Navy.
- The ship can be deployed for multirole activities like beaching operations, humanitarian and disaster relief operations and evacuation from distant islands.
Mk. IV LCU
- Mk IV LCU class vessels are operated by the Indian Navy to augment the Indian Navy’s amphibious capability.
- The ship can be deployed for maritime roles like maritime security, beaching, un-beaching, humanitarian relief operations and evacuation from distant islands, search and rescue operations and peace-keeping missions.
- The LCUs will likely be inducted into the tri-service command responsible for India’s Andaman and Nicobar island territory.
- The Indian Navy is developing the chain of islands as an amphibious warfare hub, possibly to counterbalance China’s growing military influence in the Indian Ocean Region.
- The craft may also operate in the Arabian Sea.
