Indian Navy Welcomes New Landing Ship Tank

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Indian Navy Welcomes New Landing Ship Tank​

NEW DELHI - The Indian Navy will add another asset to its littoral warfare fleet with the May 19 commissioning of its sixth India-built landing ship tank, the INS Airavat, in Kolkata. The ship was handed over by the builders, state-owned Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers, Kolkata, on March 30.

The ship, designed for amphibious operations, will be able to carry 10 main battle tanks, 11 combat trucks and 500 troops, according to a Defence Ministry release.
"With a significantly enhanced weapon package, latest control systems and better habitability conditions, Airavat delivers considerable punch and amphibious capabilities to the fighting prowess of the Indian Navy," the release states.

INS Airavat will be a potent assault platform that can carry the Sea King helicopter and the Indian-made Dhruv advanced light helicopter, a Navy official said.

The Airavat "is fitted with two indigenous rocket launchers to support successful amphibious operations," the Defence Ministry statement said. "The threat from the air is dealt with through two indigenous CRN91 anti-aircraft guns auto-controlled by optronic sights and shoulder-launched IGLA surface to-air missiles."

Built at a cost of about $100 million, INS Airavat can operate at sea for 45 days and can also be used as a fleet tanker or for humanitarian and disaster relief missions.

India's naval doctrine of 2004 for the first time directed the Navy to prepare for littoral warfare. The Navy plans to spend billions of dollars on sea- and shore-based assets to meet that goal.

India bought its sole landing platform deck, the INS Jalashwa - formerly the USS Trenton - from the United States in 2007. The 7,700-kilometer-range ship can carry 900 troops, six tanks, 2,000 tons of stores, four landing craft and six helicopters.

 

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Indian navy to induct sixth landing ship tank airavat.​

Admiral Sureesh Mehta, AVSM, PVSM, ADC, Chief of the Naval Staff arrived at Visakhapatnam, on a two day visit to Eastern Naval Command. During his stay, he will be the Chief Guest at the Commissioning Ceremony of Indian Navy’s sixth Landing Ship Tank (Large) Airavat, scheduled to take place on 19 May 09, at IN Jetty at Naval Base, Visakhapatnam.

Yard 3016, christened and launched by Mrs. Maria Teresa Mehta at Kolkota on 27 Mar 06,the ship is to be commissioned as ‘INS Airavat’ on Tuesday, 19 May 09. The ship was formally handed over to the Indian Navy on 30 Mar 09 at M/s Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Limited, Kolkota - A notable achievement. Airavat is the fifth LST (L) of the Indian Navy and third of the Shardul class. As a platform designed for amphibious operations against the enemy, she is a further upgrade on the Magar Class (the First LST (L)) in her suite of weapons, sensors and indigenous content. With a significantly enhanced Weapon package, latest Control Systems and better Habitability conditions, Airavat delivers considerable punch and Amphibious capabilities to the fighting prowess of the Indian Navy.

The ship can carry 10 Main Battle Tanks, 11 Combat Trucks and 500 Troops and has a considerable range and endurance at sea. Besides undertaking amphibious operations, the ship is a potent assault platform capable of operating both Seaking 42C and the indigenous Dhruv helicopters. She is fitted with two indigenous WM 18A Rocket Launchers to support successful amphibious operations. The threat from air is dealt with through two indigenous CRN 91 Anti-Aircraft Guns auto-controlled by Optronic Sights and shoulder launched IGLA Surface to-Air Missiles. It also has soft kill ability through Chaff Rockets, which can be used to clutter the sensory inputs of an incoming enemy aircraft or missile.

The ship is fitted with Remote Propulsion Control, Battle Damage Control System and Automated Power Management System. These are fully integrated, microprocessor based, digital control systems for providing control and for monitoring ships machinery and systems. The ship also has a microprocessor based anti-roll Flume Stabilisation System and Smoke Curtains to impede spreading of smoke and toxic gases in case of fire onboard. In addition, the ship can act as a Fleet tanker through stern refueling of other naval vessels and as a hospital ship. The ship can be effectively tasked for HADR ( Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief) missions during natural calamities like tsunami, cyclone, earthquake etc, and can operate independently at high seas for as long as 45 days.