Indian Army's Procurement of Patrol Boats and Landing Craft Assaults
The Indian Army is advancing its plans to acquire fast patrol boats and Landing Craft Assaults (LCAs) to enhance its operational capabilities, particularly in strategic regions like Sir Creek, the Brahmaputra river basin, and eastern Ladakh.
Request for Proposals (RFPs)
- Two RFPs have been issued for the procurement of eight LCAs and six fast patrol boats.
- The platforms are intended for amphibious operations, surveillance, reconnaissance, and patrolling.
- The RFPs specify a minimum of 60% indigenous content and a service life of 10 years or 10,000 operational hours.
Landing Craft Assaults (LCAs)
- Designed for transportation of vehicles, materials, and for random boat patrol and search and rescue operations.
- Must achieve a maximum speed of 20 knots and accommodate 35 troops or a vehicle with troops and equipment.
- Emphasize safety, operator fatigue reduction, and rugged military use.
Fast Patrol Boats
- Primarily for patrolling, surveillance, and small team insertion in shallow and muddy waters.
- Endurance of at least six hours of continuous operation at 25-30 knots.
- Capacity to carry eight people with a total payload of 1,000 kg.
Strategic Importance of Sir Creek
Sir Creek is a 96-km tidal estuary along the India-Pakistan border, central to an unresolved dispute and believed to contain untapped oil and gas reserves. The recent military exercise Trishul underscores its strategic importance. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh emphasized the potential for aggressive defense in this area.
