The Indian Navy got its third missile-equipped barge, Yard 77 (LSAM 9), which was launched by Cmde G Ravi, warship production superintendent (Visakhapatnam) on Saturday, the Indian Defense Ministry said in a statement.
Touted as a "proud flag-bearer" of the Make in India initiative, all major and auxiliary equipment and systems are sourced from local manufacturers.
"The MSME shipyard has already delivered [its] first barge on July 18, 2023, and has launched [its] second barge on August 18, 2023," the statement read.
The availability of barge ships will provide impetus to operational commitments of the Indian Navy by facilitating transportation, embarkation, and disembarkation of equipment and ammunition to Indian Navy ships both alongside jetties and at other harbors.
The ships reportedly have a service life of 30 years.