INS SHARDUL

INS SHARDUL

The INS Shardul  is an important auxiliary warship carrying armoured tanks, army vehicles and troops. It would have more than 90 per cent indigenous content. The ship is 124.8 metres long [about 5 meters longer that her predecessors] and 17.5 metres wide and can carry 11 main battle tanks, 10 army vehicles and 500 troops excluding the ship's crew for amphibian operation and can achieve a speed of 15.8 knots. The ship is also provided with helicopter landing facilities to accommodate 42 C helicopter or indigenously built Dhruv helicopter.

The INS  Shardul has two WM 18 rocket launcher and four anti-aircraft guns. It would be fitted with propulsion remote control and battle damage control systems for efficient operation and control at sea.

The fourth in a series of LST(L)’s built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Limited (GRSE). INS Shardul, one of the most advanced amphibious units in the inventory of Navy, got affiliated to the 5 Armoured Regiment, the most advanced tank regiment of Indian Army operating the finest and the most lethal tanks T-90 of modern era, in a glittering ceremony onboard INS Shardul docked in Mumbai Naval Harbour. Shardul has the Royal Bengal tiger as its symbol. Built by GRSE, Kolkata, Shardul boasts of state-of-the-art equipment. Rear Admiral Anil Chopra, Flag Officer Commanding Western Fleet and Maj Gen GS Malhi, Colonel of the 5 Armoured Regiment signed the Charter of Affiliation along with Cdr Shailendra Singh, Commanding Officer of INS Shardul and Col RK Magotra, Commandant of the 5 Armoured Regiment.

The Armed Forces have the tradition of the affiliating their units for the better camaraderie and esprit de corps. Though the armed forces have a long tradition of 'affiliating' their units, the modern military trend of all three services - army, navy and air force - fighting wars jointly has added an operational aspect to the tradition. The modern trend of all the three Services fighting wars jointly has added an operational aspect to the tradition. Shardul is an important amphibious warship capable of transporting various kinds of combat equipment, personnel and accomplish all objectives of landing, that is, beaching operations. The 5 Armoured Regiment proudly wears the mantle of holding one of the most potent tanks in the world.

·         Displacement          - 5600

·         Length                    -  124.8 m

·         width                      -  17.5 m

·         Draft                      - 4 m

·         Speed                    - 15.8 knots / +16 knots

·         Armament              - 4 x 40 mm Bofors, 2 multi barrel rocket launchers

·         Aircraft 1 x Sea King 42C (Platform for 2)

·         Crew                     -16 (Officers), 120 (Enlisted)

·         Capacity                - 11 main battle tanks, 10 Army vehicles, 500 troops (excluding crew members)