Indian Navy LCU Mk V: The Indian Navy has started the process to get six new Landing Craft Utility (LCU) Mk V vessels. The Navy has issued a Request for Information (RFI) to Indian shipyards for these new vessels. The goal is improving amphibious operations, island logistics and Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) work.
RFI will allow the Navy to assess what Indian shipyards can offer before issuing a formal tender. The Navy also plans to procure the vessels under the Buy (Indian-IDDM) category, requiring shipyards to provide details of their indigenous content.
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What is an LCU Mk V Vessel?
A Landing Craft Utility is made to move troops, tanks, armoured vehicles and other heavy equipment from a larger ship to the shore. These vessels can work in shallow coastal waters and can reach beaches directly.
LCUs don’t only support military operations. They can also carry out rescue missions, medical evacuations and disaster relief operations. They can transport essential supplies to areas that normal transport can’t easily reach. The new Mk V vessels are expected to support these missions in India’s island territories and across the Indian Ocean Region.
The Navy has asked shipyards to study the project in advance. The RFI says “The procurement of the vessel will be as per Defence Procurement Procedure 2.0, and accordingly shipyards are required to submit the details regarding indigenous content. The categorisation for the procurement is intended to be under Buy (Indian – IDDM).”
Major Specifications Of LCU Mk V
The new LCU Mk V is expected to be around 85 metres long with a displacement of about 1,500 tonnes. The RFI allows a 15% variation in displacement. The vessel is planned to use diesel propulsion and should reach a maximum speed of at least 15 knots.
Its endurance is expected to be around 4,500 nautical miles. The craft should be able to operate in Sea State 3 and remain survivable in conditions up to Sea State 7. Each vessel is also planned to have a service life of around 30 years.
Heavy-Lift Capability
The biggest change will be the amount of military equipment and personnel the new vessels can carry. Each LCU Mk V is required to carry at least four Main Battle Tanks such as the T-72 or Arjun, four BMP Infantry Combat Vehicles and 190 fully equipped troops.
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The Navy’s requirement says “Shipyards may consider this RFI as advance information to obtain requisite govt clearances and setting up of necessary infrastructure both in terms of manpower and material requirements,” it said.
How it will Improve on Mk IV?
The Indian Navy currently operates eight LCU Mk IV vessels built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata. These ships were inducted between 2017 and 2021 and have a displacement of around 830 tonnes. Their operational range is about 1,500 nautical miles and they can carry around 160 troops.
