The Indian Navy (IN) has commissioned its fourth Mk IV landing craft utility (LCU) platform L54. The ship is built by state-owned shipyard Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE).
The platform, used by amphibious forces to transport equipment and troops from amphibious assault ships to beach heads or piers, is part of an INR21 billion (USD310 million) contract for eight LCUs signed between GRSE and the Indian government in September 2011. Three ship, L51, L52, L53 entered service in March 2017, August 2017, and April 2018, respectively.
The remaining four LCUs of the class are in advanced stages of construction in Kolkata and are scheduled to be inducted over the next year and a half, according to the IN.
211216-N-QI061-1222 NAVAL STATION MAYPORT, Fla. (December 16, 2021) An MQ-4C Triton Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS), assigned to Unmanned Patrol Squadron 19 (VUP-19), sits on the flight line at Naval Station Mayport, Florida, Dec. 16, 2021. VUP-19, the Navy’s first Triton squadron, will continue to maintain and operate the aircraft off the East Coast to further develop the concept of operations and refine tactics, techniques, and procedures. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Nathan T. Beard/ Released)