Indian Navy Commissions Sixth Landing Ship Tank / Indian Navy's Sixth Landing Ship Tank (Large), The INS Airava

Indian Navy Commissions Sixth Landing Ship Tank / Indian Navy's Sixth Landing Ship Tank (Large), The INS Airava

*Analysis: The Indian Navy would build 32 warships and six submarines using indigenous technology by the year 2012 (DTN News Defense-Technology News .... May 19, 2009)

(NSI News Source Info) VISAKHAPATNAM - May 19, 2009: Indian Navy to induct warship Airavat today; the world-class vessel has excellent weapon power and can refuel other ships.

Armed with 500 troops, 10 battle tanks, missiles and choppers here comes the Indian Navy's sixth Landing Ship Tank (Large), the INS Airavat. Indian Navy Chief Admiral Sureesh Mehta will induct the ship at the naval base in Visakhapatnam today.

"Especially designed for amphibious operations, the ship has immense potential to lift ground troops and tanks, which can change the power equation during a war. Airavat in action: The ship can be used as an oil tanker to refuel other naval vessels and can be turned into a floating hospital in case of a disaster.

The enemy will be forced to protect their own coastline instead of waging war against us," said a senior naval officer from Naval Headquarters, New Delhi, wishing anonymity.

Apart from 500 soldiers, the ship can carry 10 Main Battle Tanks (MBT) and 11 combat trucks. Besides its ability to move with a huge Army, the ship will also be armed with Sea King and Dhruv helicopters for heli-borne operations both in mid-sea and enemy coastline.

"With a significantly enhanced weapon package, latest control systems and better habitability conditions, Airavat delivers considerable punch and amphibious capabilities to the fighting prowess of the Indian Navy.

Other than choppers and tanks, it is also armed with WM 18A rocket launchers. To deal with air threat there are anti-aircraft guns along with shoulder launched surface-to-air missiles," added the officer.

The ship has also got a unique capability through its Chaff Rockets, which are used to clutter enemy sensor inputs on an incoming aircraft or missile.

Besides being a formidable amphibious vessel, the ship can also be used as an oil tanker to refuel other naval vessels and can be turned into a hospital ship in case of a disaster.

"It can be used as a Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADAR) ship in case of tsunami, cyclone, earthquake or any other natural calamity," said an officer from the Ministry of Defence (MoD).

According to security experts, the most enviable aspect is that the INS Airavat is designed for high endurance at sea for more than 45 days at a stretch. It is equipped with some of the best self-protection mechanism in the form smoke and fire detection systems.

The Airavat has been built in a record time of three years and it will be further upgraded to Magar class with improvements in its weapon class, sensors and indigenous contents.