Shardul-class landing ships are large amphibious warfare vessels built at Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers for the Indian Navy. They are an evolution of the Magar-class amphibious landing ships. Initially, the ship was classified as Landing Ship Tank (Large) or LST(L). The class has an indigenous content of over 90%.[1]
 INS Airavat (L24) sails out of Visakhapatnam harbour after commissioning
| |
| Class overview | |
|---|---|
| Name | Shardul class |
| Builders | Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers |
| Operators |  Indian Navy |
| Preceded by | Magar class |
| Completed | 3 |
| Active | 3 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | Tank landing ship |
| Displacement | 5,650 tons |
| Length | 125 m (410 ft) |
| Beam | 17.5 m (57 ft) |
| Draught | 4 m (13 ft) |
| Propulsion | Kirloskar PA6 STC engines |
| Speed | 16 kn (30 km/h; 18 mph) |
| Capacity |
|
| Troops | 500 |
| Complement | 11 officers, 145 sailors |
| Electronic warfare & decoys | Decoy: Chaff launchers |
| Armament |
|
| Aircraft carried | 1 Sea King/HAL Dhruv |
History
editThe order for the vessels were placed in December 2001 while the contract was signed in early 2002.[1]
The ship is equipped with WM-18 140 mm rocket launchers, developed by DRDO and manufactured by Larsen & Toubro. Two units of the system is integrated with one each on port and starboard. The rocket launcher has 18 tubes in a configuration of 6×3. These are used for beach clearing operations before initiating amphibious operations. The armament also includes four CRN-91 autocannons for self-defence.[2][3][4]
Shardul was the first vessel commissioned at Karwar Naval Base, INS Kadamba. The second ship Kesari was commissioned at the Visakhapatnam Naval Base,[5] and later moved to Port Blair.[6] The third ship Airavata underwent sea trials in 2008 and was commissioned in 2009.[7][8][9]
Ships
edit| Name | Pennant Number | Laid down[1] | Launched[1] | Commissioned | Homeport | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Indian Navy
| ||||||
| Shardul | L16 | 16 December 2002 | 3 April 2004 | 4 January 2007 | Karwar | Active |
| Kesari | L15 | 8 June 2005 | 5 April 2008 | Port Blair | ||
| Airavat | L24 | 27 March 2006 | 19 May 2009 | Visakhapatnam | ||
Gallery
edit_entering_Port_Luis,_Mauritius.jpg)
_of_1st_Training_squadron_en-route_to_Sri_Lanka.jpg)
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c d "Shardul Class". Retrieved 22 September 2024.
- ^ @DefenceDecode (10 August 2020). "DRDO-L&T Rocket Launcher WM-18: Rocket Launcher WM-18 is used for beach clearing operations by the LST class of ships, before executing amphibious operations. The weapon system comprises 2 launcher mounts, one each for port and starboard..." (Tweet). Retrieved 22 September 2024 – via Twitter.
- ^ @strategicfront (17 June 2020). "Vietnamese amphibious ships with L&T WM-18 Rocket Launchers . The WM-18 is used for beach clearing operations by the Shardul-class LST of the IN, before executing amphibious operations..." (Tweet). Retrieved 22 September 2024 – via Twitter.
- ^ @strategicfront (25 May 2021). "L&T's missile systems production plant. L&T works as both the systems integrator & the supplier for many munitions..." (Tweet). Retrieved 22 September 2024 – via Twitter.
- ^ "INS Kesari Commissioned". Indian Navy. 5 April 2008. Archived from the original on 21 June 2008. Retrieved 6 July 2019.
- ^ "Another naval ship heads for Seychelles". The Hindu. 8 May 2009. Retrieved 21 February 2015.
- ^ Balajj, J. (8 April 2008). "INS Airavata for basin trials in May". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 29 April 2012. Retrieved 21 February 2015.
- ^ "Image of INS Airavat". Press Information Bureau. Government of India. 19 May 2009. Retrieved 21 February 2015.
- ^ "Image during Commissioning ceremony". Press Information Bureau. Government of India. 19 May 2009. Retrieved 21 February 2015.
External links
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