The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : A formidable union at Naval base

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Tuesday, Mar 15, 2005

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

A formidable union at Naval base

By Our Staff Reporter

Rear Admiral Sunil Damle presenting a memento to Lt. Gen. S. Pattabhiraman at a function to mark the affiliation of INS Magar to the Army in Visakhapatnam on Monday.

VISAKHAPATNAM, MARCH 14. INS Magar, the first among the two landing ship tanks of the Indian Navy, was affiliated to Bombay Sappers of the Army at a colourful ceremony here at the Naval Base on Monday.

Affiliation of naval ships and Army units is a practice in vogue with an aim to act as a force-multiplier within the armed forces by fostering greater harmony, understanding inter-service customs and combat potential.

During amphibious landing of army troops, the Engineers of Army, popularly known as Bombay Sappers, is the first to land to clear the beach of mines.

Historic event

The affiliation, considered a historic event, was conducted on-board INS Magar in the presence of the General Officer Commanding of the Western Army Command, S. Pattabhiraman, the Flag Officer Commanding of the Eastern Fleet, Sunil Damle, the Commanding Officer of INS Magar, Deepak Dhar, and the Commandant of Bombay Sappers, K. Babbayya.

"It's a red letter day for all of us. The affiliation will help the personnel of Bombay Sappers and INS Magar to have a wonderful experience in knowing about each other's expertise," Lt. Gen. Pattabhiraman, said.

After hoisting of flags and an impressive march-past, the affiliation charter was signed. According to Brigadier Babbayya, Bombay Sappers is one of the three groups of the Corps of Engineers. The origin of the group can be traced back to a company of pioneers raised in 1777.

Tsunami relief

INS Magar, equipped with multi-barrel rocket launchers and air defence capability, played a key role in transportation of men and material during various operations including the rescue and relief operation in the aftermath of tsunami in Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

Commissioned in 1987

INS Magar is first of the two large ship tank (LST) class of ships. It was commissioned in 1987 and is named after the large Indian crocodile known for its adaptability, agility and ferociousness.

Magar is indigenous in design and constructed by the Garden Reach Ship Builders.

In its primary role of an amphibious assault ship, INS Magar can carry 15 tanks, 10 trucks and over 200 troops. It has an integral commando-carrying helicopter, Seaking MK 42C, for airborne induction and four Landing Craft Assault (LCA) for launching assaults.

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