Shardul-class tank landing ship

INS Airavat (L24) sails out of Visakhapatnam harbour after commissioning
Class overview
NameShardul class
BuildersGarden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers
Operators Indian Navy
Preceded byMagar class
Completed3
Active3
General characteristics
TypeTank landing ship
Displacement5,650 tons
Length125 m (410 ft)
Beam17.5 m (57 ft)
Draught4 m (13 ft)
PropulsionKirloskar PA6 STC engines
Speed16 kn (30 km/h; 18 mph)
Capacity
  • 11 MBT, 10 armoured vehicles
  • 465.8 m3 (16,450 cu ft) water, 1,292.6 m3 (45,650 cu ft) diesel fuel
Troops500
Complement11 officers, 145 sailors
Electronic warfare
& decoys		Decoy: Chaff launchers
Armament
  • 2 × WM-18 rocket launchers
  • 4 × CRN-91 AA (Naval 30 mm Medak) guns, MANPAD's.
Aircraft carried1 Sea King/HAL Dhruv

Shardul-class landing ships are large amphibious warfare vessels built at Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers for the Indian Navy. They are an evolution of the Magar-class amphibious landing ships. Initially, the ship was classified as Landing Ship Tank (Large) or LST(L). The class has an indigenous content of over 90%.[1]

History

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The order for the vessels were placed in December 2001 while the contract was signed in early 2002.[1]

The ship is equipped with WM-18 140 mm rocket launchers, developed by DRDO and manufactured by Larsen & Toubro. Two units of the system is integrated with one each on port and starboard. The rocket launcher has 18 tubes in a configuration of 6×3. These are used for beach clearing operations before initiating amphibious operations. The armament also includes four CRN-91 autocannons for self-defence.[2][3][4]

Shardul was the first vessel commissioned at Karwar Naval Base, INS Kadamba. The second ship Kesari was commissioned at the Visakhapatnam Naval Base,[5] and later moved to Port Blair.[6] The third ship Airavata underwent sea trials in 2008 and was commissioned in 2009.[7][8][9]

Ships

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Name Pennant Number Laid down[1] Launched[1] Commissioned Homeport Status
 Indian Navy
Shardul L16 16 December 2002 3 April 2004 4 January 2007 Karwar Active
Kesari L15 8 June 2005 5 April 2008 Port Blair
Airavat L24 27 March 2006 19 May 2009 Visakhapatnam
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See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d "Shardul Class". Retrieved 22 September 2024.
  2. ^ @DefenceDecode (10 August 2020). "DRDO-L&T Rocket Launcher WM-18: Rocket Launcher WM-18 is used for beach clearing operations by the LST class of ships, before executing amphibious operations. The weapon system comprises 2 launcher mounts, one each for port and starboard..." (Tweet). Retrieved 22 September 2024 – via Twitter.
  3. ^ @strategicfront (17 June 2020). "Vietnamese amphibious ships with L&T WM-18 Rocket Launchers . The WM-18 is used for beach clearing operations by the Shardul-class LST of the IN, before executing amphibious operations..." (Tweet). Retrieved 22 September 2024 – via Twitter.
  4. ^ @strategicfront (25 May 2021). "L&T's missile systems production plant. L&T works as both the systems integrator & the supplier for many munitions..." (Tweet). Retrieved 22 September 2024 – via Twitter.
  5. ^ "INS Kesari Commissioned". Indian Navy. 5 April 2008. Archived from the original on 21 June 2008. Retrieved 6 July 2019.
  6. ^ "Another naval ship heads for Seychelles". The Hindu. 8 May 2009. Retrieved 21 February 2015.
  7. ^ Balajj, J. (8 April 2008). "INS Airavata for basin trials in May". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 29 April 2012. Retrieved 21 February 2015.
  8. ^ "Image of INS Airavat". Press Information Bureau. Government of India. 19 May 2009. Retrieved 21 February 2015.
  9. ^ "Image during Commissioning ceremony". Press Information Bureau. Government of India. 19 May 2009. Retrieved 21 February 2015.
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