Shardul-class tank landing ship

Shardul-class (lit. 'Tiger') landing ships are large amphibious warfare vessels built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers for the Indian Navy. They are an evolution of the Magar-class amphibious landing ships. Initially, the ship was classified as Landing Ship Tank (Large) or LST(L). The class has an indigenous content of over 90%. The ships also carry four landing craft vehicle personnel (LCVP) on board, which can be used for the landing of troops.

The order for the vessels were placed in December 2001 while the contract was signed in early 2002.

The ship is equipped with WM-18 140 mm rocket launchers, developed by DRDO and manufactured by Larsen & Toubro. Two units of the system is integrated with one each on port and starboard. The rocket launcher has 18 tubes in a configuration of 6×3. These are used for beach clearing operations before initiating amphibious operations. The armament also includes four CRN-91 autocannons for self-defence.

Shardul was the first vessel commissioned at Karwar Naval Base, INS Kadamba. The second ship Kesari was commissioned at the Visakhapatnam Naval Base, and later moved to Port Blair. The third ship Airavata underwent sea trials in 2008 and was commissioned in 2009.

• List of active Indian Navy ships

• Shardul Class - Bharat Rakshak
• Launch of INS Kesari
• Shardul handed over to Navy
• GRSE hands over Shardul to Indian Navy