GRSE hands over SHARDUL to Indian Navy

Kolkata, Nov 5: The Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers, the premier Indian Defence Shipyard specialised in construction of Landing Ship Tank (Large) for the Indian Navy, has handed over GRSE Yard 3014 (SHARDUL), the first of three follow-on ships, to the IN.

This is the third ship, ordered by the Indian Navy in December 2001, of LST (L) class being built by GRSE, Mr Kumar Paritosh, Commander, IN and (Retd) Dy Gen Manager, GRSE said.

The earlier ship of the class like INS Magar and INS Gharial were built and delivered during 1987 and 1997 respectively.

Other two follow-on ships-- Yard 3015 (Kesari) and Yard 3016 (Airavat) were in advanced stage of fitting out in GRSE, FOJ Unit.

The basic design of INS Magar was evolved by Directorate of Naval Design at Integrated Headquarters (Navy), New Delhi, Mr Paritosh said, adding, the design Modification of SHARDUL class had been carried out by GRSE.

The Project is managed by the Directorate of Ship Production.

The new ship SHARDUL, like her predecessors, would be an important amphibious warship, carrying Landing Craft Assault armoured tanks, army vehicles and troops.

The ship is capable of beaching for disembarcation of these vehicles and army troops.

The new ship would have several upgradations in terms of better performance, maintainability and enhanced air-conditioned accommodation for troops and additional inner Bow Door as per latest classification rules.

The ship is also provided with helicopter staging facilities to embark seeking MK. 42C helicopter or indigenously built Dhruv helicopter.

SHARDUL is also fitted with modern electronic equipment. She would have two WM 18 Rocket Launcher mountings manufactured by M/s L&T and CRN 91 Guns developed by Ordnance Factory Board.

This ship is the first indigenously constructed naval ship fitted with Integrated Platform Management system, for efficient operation and control of machinery at sea.

SHARDUL has an indigenous content of over 90 per cent with the state-of-the-art equipment such as main engines, gearbox, CPP system, steering gear, air-conditioning and refrigeration plants, and power generation and distribution system manufactured in the country.

The ship is 124.8 meters long and 17.5 meters wide and would have a deep displacement of 5600 tonnes.

The ship can carry 12 main battle tanks, 10 Army vehicles and 500 troops for amphibious operations and is capable of achieving a speed of 15.8 knots.

UNI