Context
The Indian Navy has added a new vessel, Yard 130, to its fleet. The barge, built by Suryadipta Projects in Thane, Maharashtra, is part of the LSAM 16 series and is called the ‘Ammunition and Torpedo cum Missile Barge, Yard 130’. The launch event was held at the Suryadipta Projects Pvt Ltd launching pad and was presided over by Madhusudan Bhui, GM, INA of INAS.
Purpose and Significance of ACTCM Barges
- The barge will assist the Indian Navy in the logistic movement of articles and ammunition to ships either along the jetties or in the outer harbours.
- The availability of such barges will give a thrust to the Indian Navy’s operational activities by bolstering a faster flow of goods and ammunition.
- The 11 ACTCM barges building contract was signed in-between the Ministry of Defence and Suryadipta Projects PIndian Navy Launches LSAM 20 Bargevt Ltd on March 05, 2021.
Indigenous Design and Construction
- The barges, which are responsible for the cargo transportation, are built according to the regulations of Indian Register of Shipping (IRS), which guarantees the compliance to national standards.
- Architectural testing of the barges was thoroughly carried out at the National Academy of Science and Technology (NAS&T), Visakhapatnam, ensuring the strength and safety of the structure.
- These powered barges thus communicate the pride that the ‘Make in India’ has created – with the whole world witnessing the seamanship and naval designing skills of Indian shipbuilding technology.
- The construction of the vessels by Indian firms embodies the proficiency and competence shown by local companies in the international marine industry.
- Through presenting the barges as ‘cats of luxury’, the ‘Make in India’ campaign strives to catch worldwide attention and investments, demonstrating India as an emerging nation, able to compete with its global counterparts in manufacturing.
About LSAM
- LSAM in this context stands for ‘Landing Ship Ammunition’, hence referring to the landing barge’s prime objective of transporting ammunition to the Indian Navy.
- The Indian Navy is now aggressively improving the performance and logistics of their fleet via the procurement of different types of vessels, that are also referred to as “barges”.
- In the ‘Make in India’ initiative context, private enterprise presence in the military industrialization sector has been encouraged in an effort to minimise imports and strengthen the local defence sector.
- The sixth LSAM 20 barge put to sail marks a notable development in the work towards a 11 ACTCM Barge Project, an amalgamation of team work between the Indian Navy and private shipyards.
- The home-made barge which has been built according to indigenous designs will be of utmost importance in fulfilling the needs of operated as well as logistics parts of the Navy, thereby enhancing India’s capabilities in maritime defence and indigenization of the defence equipment.
Conclusion
The launch of LSAM 20 barging, an Indian waterway system, is not only a development in maritime self-sufficiency but also the best possible way of transportation of navy supplies. Developed internally following the ‘Make in India’ strategy, they sufficiently demonstrate a significant step forward towards indigenization. Through private industry partnership, Indian Navy becomes a force to reckon with concerning logistics support, thereby exponentially increasing its potency in its operations. LSAM 20 catches a good promise for the development of the Indian defence sector in the maritime domain that connotes the establishment of self-sustaining & reduction of needy imports.
Source: ET
UPSC Prelims Practice Question
Q. What is the motto of the Indian Navy?
a) “Service Before Self”
b) “Shaurya, Suman, Sampada”
c) “Jai Hind”
d) “Sham No Varuna”
Ans- “a”
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