On November 22, 2024, the sixth Missile Cum Ammunition Barge, LSAM 12 (Yard 80), was officially inducted at the Naval Dockyard in Mumbai. The ceremony was led by Commodore Abhirup Majumdar, the Command Refit Officer at the Western Naval Command.
The contract to build a total of eight such barges was given to M/s SECON Engineering Projects Pvt. Ltd., a shipyard based in Visakhapatnam. The contract was completed on February 19, 2024. SECON, along with an Indian ship design firm, created these barges in India, confirming they meet all safety and operational standards. The barges were also tested for seaworthiness at the Naval Science and Technological Laboratory in Visakhapatnam.
Built according to Indian naval rules and the Indian Register of Shipping’s restrictions, these barges are a proud symbol of India’s ‘Make in India’ and ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ initiatives, showcasing the country’s growing self-reliance in defense manufacturing.
The installation of these barges will significantly support the Indian Navy’s operations. They will help in transporting, loading, and unloading ammunition and other supplies to Navy platforms, both at jetties and in open sea areas. This will support the Navy’s operational capacities and provide smoother logistics for its tasks.(PR)