Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh: The Indian Navy witnessed a significant enhancement in operational capabilities with the recent launch of the ‘Missile Cum Ammunition Barge, LSAM 10 (Yard 78)’ at M/s SECON Engineering Projects Pvt Ltd (SEPPL), Visakhapatnam. This marked the culmination of the Missile Cum Ammunition Barge project, consisting of eight barges, constructed by the MSME Shipyard.
The launching ceremony, which took place on November 20, 2023, at Guttenadeevi, East Godavari, Andhra Pradesh, was presided over by Cmde Shanmugam Sabesan, CRO (East). The construction contract for these barges was signed on February 19, 2021, between the Ministry of Defense (MoD) and M/s SECON Engineering Projects Pvt Ltd.
The LSAM 10 Barges play a crucial role in supporting the Indian Navy’s operational commitments by facilitating the transportation, embarkation, and disembarkation of articles and ammunition to IN ships, both alongside jetties and at outer harbors. Designed and built under the relevant Naval Rules and Regulations of the Indian Register of Shipping (IRS), these indigenously crafted barges underwent model testing at the Naval Science and Technological Laboratory (NSTL), Visakhapatnam.
These barges are a testament to the Make in India initiative of the Government of India, showcasing the nation’s prowess in naval technology and self-reliance in defense capabilities.