New Delhi: The Army plans to procure eight Landing Craft Assaults (LCA) and six Fast Patrol Boats (FPBs) to facilitate amphibious operations in the Sir Creek area, subject of a maritime territorial dispute between India and Pakistan, as well as the Brahmaputra river basin to the east.
In the two requests for information (RFI) issued for the vessels, the Army has said it wants to deploy the LCAs for transportation of vehicles and material, as well as for random patrols and limited search and rescue operations, while the FPBs will be for surveillance, patrolling and interception at sea and over water bodies.
The Army requires both to have at least a 50 percent domestic component in design.
The LCA system, the Army has said, needs to be designed in a manner that it can be driven in and out of water bodies without the need for any jetty.
It should be operable in water at minimal draughts, in unknown and varying terrain conditions, and also at high speeds, it says in the RFI for the LCA.
The force wants the LCA to be versatile, to facilitate seamless execution of operations such as patrolling, fast attack and interception across varying terrains and operating conditions.
“The LCA should be designed to ensure safety of the operator, reduction of operator fatigue whilst achieving the standards for rugged military use,” the Army said.
Its maximum speed should be not less than 20 knots, with an endurance of eight hours. The carriage capacity should be 35 personnel, including the crew, along with weapons and equipment and a total payload of 5,255 kg.
“The boat shall be designed to be operational and manoeuvered safely and effectively at specified speed with full complement in specified sea conditions. The boat shall be very stable and resistant to capsize,” the RFI says, also calling for “good manoeuvrability” and throttle response throughout its speed range.
The LCA should be transportable by road and by in-service aircraft such as IL-76/C-17.
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For seaward anti-terrorist patrols
Similar requirements have been laid out for FPBs on operational parameters.
The Army is seeking a maximum speed of 35 knots at sea with four persons on board, including the crew, with a total payload of 500 kg (personnel weight plus battle load).
The Army wants to be able to operate the boat in shallow and muddy conditions, and carry out coordinated secure operations and force protection of vessels.
These boats will be used for seaward anti-terrorist patrols — for security of coastal and inland installations, and Indian vessels and coast line.
“The Fast Patrol Boats shall be utilised for coastal patrol and surveillance with the aim to protect area of creeks of Gujarat, coastal area of India and inland water. The boat shall be highly seaworthy,” the RFI reads.
(Edited by Sunanda Ranjan)
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