The Indian Navy successfully launched LSAM 19 (Yard 129), a versatile barge equipped with ammunition, torpedoes, and missiles, on 24 January. It marks the completion of the fifth barge under the 11 x ACTCM Barge Project. The deployment of these barges is expected to significantly enhance the Indian Navy’s operational capabilities by facilitating the efficient transportation, embarkation, and disembarkation of articles and ammunition for Navy ships, both at jetties and outer harbours.
The LSAM 19 was manufactured by MSME Shipyard, Suryadipta Projects Private Limited, Thane, at the SPPL launch site dedicated to the Indian Navy. On 5 March 2021, an agreement between the Ministry of Defence (MoD) and Suryadipta Projects formalised the contract for building 11 X ACTCM Barges.
These barges are designed and built according to the Naval Rules and Regulations of the Indian Register of Shipping. Model testing occurred during the design phase at the Naval Science and Technological Laboratory in Visakhapatnam. In a statement, the Indian Navy emphasised the indigenous nature of these barges, which contributes to the Government of India’s Make in India initiative.
Team BharatShakti
