Indian Navy Launches 5th Ammunition Cum Torpedo Cum Missile Barge

Thane: In a significant development for the Indian Navy, the launch of the ‘Ammunition Cum Torpedo Cum Missile Barge, LSAM 19 (Yard 129)’ took place on January 24, 2024. This marks the completion of the 5th Barge of the 11 x ACTCM Barge Project and was constructed by MSME Shipyard, M/s Suryadipta Projects Pvt Ltd in Thane. The launching ceremony, held at the launch site of M/s SPPL, was presided over by Cmde V Pravin, AWPS(Mbi).

The contract for the construction of 11 X ACTCM Barges was signed between the Ministry of Defence (MoD) and M/s Suryadipta Projects Pvt Ltd on March 5, 2021. The introduction of these Barges is expected to enhance the operational commitments of the Indian Navy by facilitating the transportation, embarkation, and disembarkation of articles and ammunition to Navy ships, both alongside jetties and at outer harbors.

These Barges, designed and built indigenously, adhere to the relevant Naval Rules and Regulations of the Indian Register of Shipping. The model testing of the Barge during the design stage was conducted at the Naval Science and Technological Laboratory in Visakhapatnam. The construction of these Barges aligns with the Make in India initiative of the Government of India (GoI). This initiative underscores the nation’s commitment to boosting indigenous manufacturing capabilities and self-reliance in defense infrastructure.