The fifth ship of LCU-MK IV project was launched on December 7, 2015, at an impressive ceremony at the Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Ltd (GRSE), Kolkata.

The chief guest, Vice Admiral A.V. Subhedar, AVSM, VSM, Chief of Material, Chairman and Managing Director of GRSE and other dignitaries were present on the occasion. Rear Admiral A.K. Verma (Retd), VSM, Chairman & Managing Director, GRSE, welcomed.

Vice Admiral Subhedar asserted that the Indian Navy has been supporting the drive for indigenous construction of warships leading to advancement of our shipbuilding industry and acknowledged the role of GRSE as a reliable partner in pursuing the national goal of ‘Make in India’. He further stated that the Indian Navy is eagerly looking forward towards induction of LCU-MK IV class of ships, which would be based at Port Blair. He extended warm felicitations to the entire team of the GRSE for their significant contribution towards meeting the Navy’s growing requirement of state-of-the-art warships.

Rohini Subhedar, wife of Vice Admiral Subhedar, named the ship as ‘LCU L-55’, wished the ship good luck and launched the vessel.

LCU L-55 is the fifth vessel in the series of eight landing craft utility ships being designed and built by GRSE for the Indian Navy. The ship can be deployed for multi-role activities like beaching operations, humanitarian and disaster relief operations.