Thane: Rear Admiral Vishal Bishnoi, Assistant Controller of Warship Production & Acquisition (ACWP&A), presided over the launch ceremony of the 11th Ammunition Cum Torpedo Cum Missile (ACTCM) Barge, LSAM 25 (Yard 135), at Suryadipta Projects Pvt Ltd, Thane. The event marks a significant milestone in India’s naval infrastructure and indigenous defense manufacturing capabilities.
Indigenous Design and Construction
The contract for constructing eleven ACTCM Barges was awarded on March 5, 2021, to the MSME shipyard Suryadipta Projects Pvt Ltd, in collaboration with an Indian ship design firm and the Indian Register of Shipping (IRS). The barges have been indigenously designed and built, underscoring India’s commitment to the Make in India and Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiatives.
Model testing for seaworthiness was conducted at the Naval Science and Technological Laboratory (NSTL), Visakhapatnam, ensuring the barges meet the Indian Navy’s operational standards. Of the eleven barges, ten have been successfully delivered and are actively deployed in naval operations.
Strategic Significance
- Enhanced Operational Capability: The ACTCM barges provide crucial support to the Indian Navy, enabling the safe transportation of ammunition, torpedoes, and missiles to naval platforms, thereby enhancing logistics and operational readiness.
- Boost to Indigenous Defense Production: The project highlights the government’s push to reduce dependency on foreign suppliers and promote domestic defense manufacturing through MSME shipyards.
- Support for ‘Make in India’ & ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’: These barges are prime examples of India’s strategic focus on self-reliance in defense technology and production.
Remarks from Officials
Rear Admiral Vishal Bishnoi lauded the shipyard’s expertise and efficiency, emphasizing the role of MSME enterprises in strengthening India’s defense ecosystem. He called the launch a “significant step towards modernizing India’s naval capabilities while promoting indigenous innovation.”
Outlook
The successful launch of LSAM 25 reinforces India’s naval self-sufficiency and marks continued progress in domestic shipbuilding. With the remaining barge in the pipeline, the Indian Navy is set to expand its operational support fleet, bolstering maritime security and readiness.
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