Indian Navy issued a tender for landing boats

02.02.2011 Indian Navy issued an international tender for ten landing boats to be used for carrying of troops and vehicles from ships to the land, reports PTI. So far, it is uncertain what companies will compete in the tender. According to Indian military, new boats will be also used as troop transport ferries between Andaman Islands, Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep.

Troop-carrying capacity of the boats should be at least 55 tons. Such boat must fit in Magar class or Shardul class landing ships as well as INS Jalashwa amphibious transport dock. A boat must be capable to accommodate either 150 marines and one T-72 (T-90) main battle tank, or two infantry fighting vehicles, or two 2.5-ton trucks, or four light armored vehicles.

New boats must not be more than 23-meter long, have a full-load speed up to 15 knots, and a out-of-dock service time at least one month (200 miles at full load). Boats should be powered with two diesel engines with water-jet propeller. Design of the boats must provide day-and-night operations.

According to specifications, each boat should be armed with two machineguns; mount points of machineguns must be protected with armor plates. New boats will serve in Indian Navy for 20 years.