Larsen & Toubro (L&T) launches a first-of-class Multi-Purpose Vessel (MPV) for the Indian Navy from its Kattupalli Shipyard near Chennai. The vessel, christened INS Samarthak, was launched by Ms Shashi Tripathi, President- Navy Wives Welfare Association, in the August presence of the Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi.
Controller of Warship Production & Acquisition Vice Admiral B Sivakumar, Assistant Controller of Warship Production & Acquisition Rear Admiral Sandeep Mehta, Flag Officer Commanding - Tamil Nadu & Puducherry Naval Area (FOTNA) Rear Admiral Ravi Kumar Dhingra and senior leadership of L&T also graced the event.
Maritime surveillance and patrolling
The MPV, a highly specialized, multi-role platform, is envisaged to be trial a platform for the development of next generation weapons and sensors for the Indian Navy. It will also perform other roles such as, launch and recovery of surface and aerial targets, maritime surveillance and patrolling, humanitarian assistance, combating sea pollution, etc.
The MPV is 107m long, 18.6m wide and has a displacement over 3,750 tonnes
The MPV is 107m long, 18.6m wide and has a displacement over 3,750 tonnes. It has been designed and constructed in-house by L&T in keeping with Government of India’s ‘Make in India’ initiative and ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ vision.
Disruptions in supply chains
Commenting on the momentous occasion, Mr AT Ramchandani, Senior Vice President & Head - L&T Precision Engineering & Systems, said: “The successful launch of the first MPV on schedule, notwithstanding geopolitical disruptions in supply chains, serves as a testament to L&T’s commitment to national security, our in-house warship design capabilities and exceptional execution prowess.”
“We are committed to leveraging our strengths and innovative solutions to meet Indian Navy's aspirations, besides reaffirming our commitment to an ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ in defense manufacturing.”
New build construction
L&T’s Kattupalli Shipyard is one of the most advanced shipbuilding and ship repair facilities in India and is equipped with ship-lift, dry berths, and wet berths to concurrently undertake new build construction and repairs.
Besides two MPVs, L&T is also constructing three Cadet Training Ships and six other defense vessels for the Indian Navy on Public-Private-Partnership model at the Shipyard. This apart, the repair of the US Naval Ship (USNS) Charles Drew, under a Master Ship Repair Agreement with the US Navy, is also underway.
