The Indian Navy commissioned its second landing craft utility vessel LCU L52 in a ceremony at Port Blair, on August 21.
LCU L52 is the second of overall eight units in the class planned for construction.
The commissioning ceremony took place almost three years after the vessel was launched in Kolkata, in September 2014.
The amphibious ship was indigenously designed and built by the Indian shipbuilder M/s GRSE as part of an eight-vessel contract signed with the Indian Navy in September 2011.
The ship, commanded by Commander Kaushik Chatterjee, has a complement of five officers, 46 sailors and is capable of carrying 160 troops in addition. The ship displaces 830 tons, is capable of transporting various kinds of combat equipment such as Main Battle Tanks Arjun, T72 and other vehicles.
LCU ships are fitted with an Integrated Platform Management System for remote control of propulsion, auxiliary and power generating equipment.
The Indian Navy plans to deploy the ship for maritime roles like maritime security, beaching/un-beaching, humanitarian relief operations and evacuation from distant islands, search and rescue operations and peace-keeping missions.
Two CRN-91 indigenous 30 MM guns will be providing fire support during operations from the vessels.