Indian Navy LSAM‑25 ACTCM barge launched in 2025 to strengthen maritime logistics. Fully indigenously designed, tested by NSTL, classified by IRS, supporting Make in India and Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiatives.
Indian Navy Launches 11th ACTCM Barge LSAM-25 — A Boost to Maritime Logistics & self-reliance
What is LSAM-25 ACTCM Barge?
On 8 September 2025, the Indian Navy launched its 11th Ammunition-Cum-Torpedo-Cum-Missile (ACTCM) Barge, named LSAM-25 (Yard 135), at Thane. ACTCM barges are support vessels designed to carry ammunition, torpedoes, missiles and related stores to warships, thereby ensuring operational readiness and logistics support.
Who Built It & Under What Contract?
The contract to build eleven ACTCM barges was awarded on 5 March 2021 to an MSME shipyard, M/s Suryadipta Projects Pvt Ltd, Thane. Design work was done with collaboration of an Indian ship design firm and classification by the Indian Register of Shipping (IRS). For seaworthiness, model testing was performed at the Naval Science and Technological Laboratory (NSTL), Visakhapatnam.
Status of the Project & Utilisation
Out of the eleven barges in the contract, ten have already been delivered and are in use by the Indian Navy for its operational evolutions. The launch of the 11th barge LSAM-25 completes the building phase under this contract. These barges are active support assets, helping enable logistics operations including supply of weapons and ammunition to naval vessels.
Significance for “Make in India” & Aatmanirbhar Bharat
These barges have been indigenously designed and built, making them a strong example of the “Make in India” and Aatmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) initiatives.The involvement of MSME shipyards, local design firms, Indian regulatory and testing agencies underscores the intent of reducing dependence on foreign technology, boosting internal industrial capability.
Potential Operational Impact & Strategic Role
ACTCM barges such as LSAM-25 enhance the Indian Navy’s capability in several ways:
- They ensure that warships can receive ammunition, missiles and torpedoes safely, especially when operating at sea or in remote locations.
- By improving logistics and supply chains, they contribute to faster turnaround times, sustained maritime operations, and increased readiness.
- They help in reducing logistic vulnerabilities in wartime or crisis, especially where transport and supply lines might be disrupted.
Why This News Is Important
Enhances Operational Readiness
Support vessels like ACTCM barges are often overlooked but are vital lifelines for naval operations. Without timely supply of ammunition, missiles, torpedoes, and other essential stores, even the most advanced warship becomes ineffective. The launch of LSAM-25 fills the final slot in this batch, completing the fleet of eleven, thus boosting the Indian Navy’s operational readiness and logistic backbone.
Strengthens Self-Reliance & Indigenous Defence Ecosystem
India’s defence policy in recent years has emphasized self-reliance — Aatmanirbhar Bharat — and leveraging MSMEs and private industry in strategic sectors. The ACTCM project is fully indigenous in design, construction, and testing for seaworthiness, demonstrating that private and small to medium scale units can contribute substantially to defence infrastructure. This not only reduces import dependency, but also enhances technology absorption, employment, and skills in the domestic sector.
Historical Context
Early Dependence on Support Craft
Since independence, the Indian Navy has consistently needed support and auxiliary vessels—fuel, supply, ammunition barges. In early decades, many such vessels were either imported or built in limited capacity by government shipyards.
Make in India & Policy Shifts
With the launch of the Make in India initiative in 2014, followed by Aatmanirbhar Bharat more recently, the government has sought to promote indigenous manufacturing across defence sectors. Contracts to MSMEs, private firms, encouraging domestic design, testing, and regulatory certification all form part of this shift.
The ACTCM Barges Project
- In March 2021, the Indian MoD contracted with Suryadipta Projects Pvt Ltd for eleven ACTCM barges.
- In parallel, eight “Missile-Cum-Ammunition (MCA)” barges are being built by another MSME, SECON Engineering Projects Pvt Ltd, Visakhapatnam.
- Model testing at NSTL and classification by IRS are steps that ensure standards and safety.
- Over 2023-2025, nine or ten barges had already been delivered. The recent launch (LSAM-25) marks the conclusion of deliveries under the Suryadipta contract.
Key Takeaways from ACTCM Barge LSAM-25 Launch
| Serial No. | Key Takeaway |
|---|---|
| 1 | Launch Date & Project Completion: LSAM-25, the 11th ACTCM barge, was launched on 8 September 2025 at Thane, completing the contract for eleven barges. |
| 2 | Builder & Contracting Entity: The barges are being built by M/s Suryadipta Projects Pvt Ltd (an MSME shipyard), under a contract signed on 5 March 2021. |
| 3 | Indigenous Design, Testing, and Assets: The design was by Indian ship design firms; tested by NSTL, Visakhapatnam; and classified by the IRS. All major systems are domestically sourced. |
| 4 | Strategic Importance: These barges ensure naval logistical support—carrying ammunition, missiles, torpedoes—which is essential for sustained maritime operations and enhanced readiness. |
| 5 | Make in India & Aatmanirbhar Bharat: This project is a showcase of India’s efforts toward self-reliance in defence manufacturing, especially involving MSMEs. |
FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. What is LSAM‑25 in the Indian Navy?
A: LSAM‑25 is the 11th Ammunition‑Cum‑Torpedo‑Cum‑Missile (ACTCM) barge launched by the Indian Navy to supply ammunition, torpedoes, and missiles to warships.
Q2. When was the contract for the eleven ACTCM barges signed?
A: The contract was signed on 5 March 2021 with M/s Suryadipta Projects Pvt Ltd, Thane.
Q3. What is the strategic importance of ACTCM barges?
A: They provide logistical support, enabling warships to stay operational with a steady supply of ammunition, torpedoes, and missiles, especially during remote deployments or crises.
Q4. Which agencies were involved in design, testing, and classification of LSAM‑25?
A: Indian ship design firms designed the barge, the Naval Science and Technological Laboratory (NSTL) conducted model testing, and the Indian Register of Shipping (IRS) provided classification.
Q5. How does LSAM‑25 support the Make in India and Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative?
A: LSAM‑25 is fully indigenously designed and built, involving MSMEs and Indian regulatory agencies, showcasing India’s growing self-reliance in defence manufacturing.
Q6. How many ACTCM barges have been delivered to the Indian Navy before LSAM‑25?
A: Ten barges had already been delivered and are operational before the launch of LSAM‑25.
Q7. Where was LSAM‑25 launched?
A: LSAM‑25 was launched at Thane, Maharashtra, India.
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