First Landing Craft Utility (LCU) launch by end-2014

[Gessler]

The GOI has ordered 8 Landing Craft Utility (LCU) for the Indian Navy from
Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Ltd (GRSE), Calcutta. The ships are
being acquired to transport, deploy, and recover troops and equipment across
the sea. Secondary roles for the ships would be::

> Peace Keeping
> Search and Rescue
> Humanitarian Relief Operations
> Supply and Replenishment

The Indian Navy signed the contract for the ships with GRSE on September 29, 2011,
with the first ship to be delivered in 35 months.

The keels for the first two ships of the class were laid on April 24, 2013. The first
ship is to be launched later this year. Fitment and Navy trials will follow.

The project appears to be at least a year behind schedule.

Thum! Kaun Aata Hai?: First Landing Craft Utility (LCU) Launch by End 2014

 

[Neptune]

I had thought that IN had LCUs. Can somebody list me the entire amphibious landing fleet of Indian Navy???

 

[Gessler]

I had thought that IN had LCUs. Can somebody list me the entire amphibious landing fleet of Indian Navy???

The main ones are :-

3 x Shardul-class Landing Ship Tank (LST)
2 x Magar-class Landing Ship Tank (LST)
1 x Jalashwa (Austin)-class Landing Platform Dock (LPD)
4 x Khumbir-class Landing Ship Tank (LST)

Total 10 of the amphibious type. We are not going to build LSTs anymore. The future order book
so far is like this -

8 x Landing Craft Utility (LCU)
4 x new Landing Helicopter Dock (LHD) : Mistral-class and Juan Carlos-class are the leading contenders.

12 new ones.

 

[Archie]

I had thought that IN had LCUs. Can somebody list me the entire amphibious landing fleet of Indian Navy???

Well Indian Navy at present has
1 Austin class LPD - 16000 Tons
2 Magar class LST - 5500 Tons
3 Shardul Class LST - 5600 Tons
4 Kumbhir Class LCU - 1150 Tons

4 Kumbhir Class LCUs were decommissioned between 2005-2011
The present order for 8 LCUs will replace Kumbhir class in active service

India is also working on a 7000 Ton LST design to replace the Magar class
with the 4 Billion USD LPD/LHD tender for 4 ships being deferred by the government, Indian Navy is looking at fielding smaller class of ships in this role
Indian Navy can get 6, 7000 Ton Amphibious assault ships capable of carrying the same amount of tanks, troops and Helis as 3, 20000 Tons LPD/LHDs, while costing less than the price of 2 LPD/LHDs

 

[Neptune]

I see a heavy reliance on amphibious assault ships and high number of ship-based aerial assets, which are very good things but how many landing crafts does IN operate, and their types? Btw also I'd like to learn a few about Indian naval infantry forces?

 

[Archie]

I see a heavy reliance on amphibious assault ships and high number of ship-based aerial assets, which are very good things but how many landing crafts does IN operate, and their types? Btw also I'd like to learn a few about Indian naval infantry forces?

India has 4 Kumbhir class LCUs at present , rest are 5 LSTs and 1 LPD

Indian Navy has 5000 Marines

Our Present Amphibious Fleet can support 6500 Troops, 200 MBTs, 150 Armored Personal carriers and

 

[Neptune]

India has 4 Kumbhir class LCUs at present , rest are 5 LSTs and 1 LPD

Indian Navy has 5000 Marines

Our Present Amphibious Fleet can support 6500 Troops, 200 MBTs, 150 Armored Personal carriers and

hmm what about support&armored battalions for the marines? And their equipment