GRSE launches seventh LCU for Indian Navy

Indian shipbuilder Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers launched the Indian Navy’s seventh MK IV landing craft utility in Kolkata, on November 24.

LCU-L57, as the vessel was named during the ceremony, is the seventh vessel in the series of eight landing craft utility ships being designed and built by M/s GRSE for the Indian Navy.

The ship can be deployed for multirole activities like beaching operations, humanitarian and disaster relief operations and evacuation from distant islands.

GRSE is building the amphibious vessels under a contract signed with the Indian Navy in September 2011 with construction starting a year later in 2012. The first LCU was launched in March, 2014.