The eighth ammunition cum torpedo cum missile (ACTCM) barge, LSAM 22 (Yard 132), was inducted into the Indian Navy on Monday at Naval Dockyard in Mumbai in the presence of Commodore Vinay Venkataram, Officer-in-Charge, Fleet Maintenance Unit.
ACTCM barges play a crucial role in enhancing the operational readiness and effectiveness of the Indian Navy by ensuring that essential munitions and equipment can be transported efficiently. These barges provide an impetus to the operational commitments of the Navy by facilitating transportation, embarkation and disembarkation of articles or ammunition to Indian Navy platforms both alongside jetties and at outer harbours.
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The contract for the construction and delivery of 11 ACTCM barges was signed with Suryadipta Projects Pvt. Ltd in 2021. Of these, seven have already been delivered to the Indian Navy.
The shipyard has indigenously designed these barges in collaboration with an Indian ship designing firm and subsequently model tested them at Naval Science and Technological Laboratory, Visakhapatnam, successfully to ensure seaworthiness.
These barges, built in accordance with the relevant Naval Rules and Regulations of Indian Register of Shipping, are proud flag bearers the government's efforts to achieve self-reliance in defence and highlights the Navy’s commitment towards encouraging MSMEs, a release from the ministry of defence said.
