The ninth ammunition cum torpedo cum missile (ACTCM) barge, LSAM 23, was inducted into the Indian Navy on Wednesday at Naval Dockyard in Mumbai.
The contract for construction and delivery of eleven ACTCM Barges was awarded to Suryadipta Projects Pvt. Ltd in 2021. The company had already delivered eight barges to the Navy.
"Induction of these barges would provide impetus to operational commitments of Indian Navy by facilitating transportation, embarkation and disembarkation of articles/ ammunition to Indian Navy platforms both alongside jetties and at outer harbours," a statement from the defence ministry read.
ALSO READ: Indian Navy's fleet support ships project gains momentum; keel laid for second ship at L&T facility
The shipyard indigenously designed the barges in collaboration with an Indian ship designing firm and subsequently model tested at Naval Science and Technological Laboratory, Visakhapatnam, to ensure their seaworthiness.
The defence ministry said the barges have been built in accordance with the relevant Naval Rules and Regulations of Indian Register of Shipping.
“These Barges are proud flag bearers of #MakeinIndia & #AatmanirbharBharat initiative of Government of India and highlight #IndianNavy’s commitment towards promoting MSMEs,” the Navy said in a tweet.
The ministry said in addition to these ACTCM barges, the company has also been awarded a contract for the construction and delivery of four sullage barges to the Indian Navy.