The Hindu : National : INS Shardul dedicated

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Friday, Jan 05, 2007
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INS Shardul dedicated

R.S. Habbu

Auxiliary warship with amphibious capabilities

KARWAR: Defence Minister A.K. Antony on Thursday dedicated INS Shardul, a landing warship, to the nation at an event at the Karwar Naval Base, INS Kadamba, here.

This Landing Ship Tank (Large), or LST(L), which is the third of its kind to be commissioned into the Navy, has the primary role of transporting troops, vehicles and armaments for amphibious operations.

The Minister said the amphibious operation capability of the Navy was being augmented in order to safeguard the maritime interests of the country. He said a Platform Landing Dock (PLD), a large amphibious vessel to be named Jalashwa, would be inducted by mid-2008. The process of acquisition of the ship from the United States was on.

Two more warships of the LST (S) type would be inducted by December 2007. This would enhance the Navy's ability to conduct operational manoeuvres and assault operations from the sea.

Stating that modernisation of Indian Navy was an ongoing process, he said the construction of four anti-submarine corvettes and 10 fast attack craft was in progress. The defence shipyard would be modernised.

The Minister noted that the public sector and the private sector had joined hands in building INS Shardul. He complimented the Garden Reach Ship Builders and Engineers (GRSE) that built it.

Emphasis

Mr. Antony said the Government's emphasis was on adoption of indigenous technology in building warships and their spare parts. He said the Karwar Naval Base would become a major one. With the growth of the base there would be rapid development in the hinterland.

Earlier, Mr. Antony unfurled the White Ensign of the Navy. He unveiled the ship's name plaque to mark the commissioning of the ship. He was received with a ceremonial guard of honour by a Naval contingent at the jetty.

Capabilities

INS Shardul is an important auxiliary warship capable of transporting different kinds of combat equipment. It can carry 11 armoured tanks, 10 Army vehicles and 500 troops besides the crew.

Shardul stands for the Royal Bengal Tiger, symbolising agility, strength and valour. The motto of INS Shardul is `All for one, One for all.' It is the first ship to be commissioned at the Karwar Naval Base. The warship got its name from an earlier warship of the same class that was decommissioned in 1997.

The ship has expansive accommodation and storage, lift facility, ability to operate in shallow waters and beaching capability. It can act as a hospital ship and a modified fleet tanker for stern fuelling during a limited mission.

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