The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

Indigenous warships join fleet

MUMBAI, Jan 22 (UNI) — The indigenously designed guided missile destroyer “INS Mumbai’’ and missile corvette “INS Kirch’’ today joined the Indian naval fleet. The warships were concurrently commissioned by Maharashtra Governor Dr P.C. Alexander.

INS Mumbai is the third of the “Delhi class’’ of guided missile destroyers built by Mazgaon docks and represents the cutting edge of combatant technology in the country.

The heavily armed ship has a formidable firepower with a weapon package comprising surface-to-surface missiles, surface-to-air-missiles, radar controlled guns, torpedoes, anti-submarine rockets and chaff decoys. In addition, the ship carries a state-of-the-art sensor package of modern radars, sonars and electronic warfare suites.

INS Kirch is the second ship of the Kora class of guided missile corvettes, which embodies the lethal cutting edge technology. With her arsenal of surface-to-surface missiles and guns, she is a potent fighting unit. She is also capable of launching surface-to-air-missiles and is fitted with a close range gunnery system with a high rate of fire for self-defence.

This weapon package is supported by state-of-the-art sensors and has electronic warfare suite. This compact fighting machine also has the ability to operate the force multiplier Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) and the Chetak Helicopters.

Addressing a large gathering of naval officers, members of the consular corps and other distinguished guests, the Governor said that the commissioning of the two frontline warships of the Indian Navy — INS Mumbai and INS Kirch, together was a rare event and a matter of pride for both the Navy and the people of Mumbai.

Complimenting the Navy’s ongoing indigenisation efforts, the Governor said that the Navy’s responsibility had increased from the maritime perspective and the improved professional competence.

“The indigenisation process had helped in achieving self-reliance and also saving foreign exchange’’, he observed.

The Navy should not rest on its laurels, Dr Alexander said and added that efforts should now be to export the products and skills.

Chief of Naval Staff (CNS) Admiral Sushil Kumar said that the two frontline ships, will add punch to the Navy’s capabilities. “Indian navy was a stabilising force of the region and it stood for peace and harmony. The international fleet review (IFR) was a symbol of Indian Navy’s endeavour to extend the hand of friendship across the globe,’’ the Naval Chief added.

INS Mumbai is commanded by Captain Sanjeev Bhasin, who is a specialist in navigation and aircraft direction. He was the Commissioning Commanding Officer of the first indigenous missile corvette INS Khukri and has also commanded the missile destroyer INS Ranjit.

INS Kirch is commanded by Commander Amar Kumar Mahadevan, who is also a specialist in navigation and aircraft direction. His previous sea appointments include command of INS Allepey.

State Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh, Deputy Chief Minister Chhagan Bhujbal, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command Vice Admiral Madhavendra Singh and other senior naval officials were present on the occasion. At a function on board the INS Kirch, Dr Alexander released the first day stamps issued by the postal department in commemoration of the commissioning of the two new ships.

INS Mumbai will be administered by the western fleet while INS Kirch will join the eastern fleet after the international fleet review. “Mumbai’’ is capable of carrying two sea king helicopters or the indigenous Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH) on board, providing the much needed “extended reach’’ to a modern surface combatant.

These helicopters armed with missiles and torpedoes as well as sensitive sensor suites are formidable force multipliers. With her fine lines and proven seaworthiness synergising with the weapon and sensor suites, INS Mumbai is a frontline warship and lives up to her motto “I am invincible’’.

INS Mumbai is not the first ship to be named after one of the greatest maritime hubs of the world. The first warship to be named after the economic nerve centre of India, the “honourable Company’s Ship Bombay’’ was built at the Bombay docks and commissioned by the then Governor of Bombay in 1739. It is noteworthy that the 10th warship to be named after the Mumbai that has been built at the Mazgaon docks.

The Kirch has Otomelara gun which has a range of 120 km and calibre of 76.2 mm. It can fire 120 rounds per minute. The ship is also equipped with the uran surface to surface missiles, which is near equivalent to American “Harpoons’’ missiles.

The shoulder fired anti-aircraft missiles are also fitted to the warship. There are two 6x30 guns (six barrels and 30 mm) with a range of four km and pick surface/air targets as well as submarines.

The other modern equipments, on board kirchare, +e (for detection of radar), liynx (fire control for Otomelara guns and 6x30 guns), Ajanta mark 2 antenna (warning of incoming aircraft/missile/ship), ovents (magnifying site of observing the target through Otomelara gun), toted (towed torpedo decoy, which gives a false alarm and is released after siting an enemy torpedo advancing towards the ship).

INS Mumbai is fitted with advanced towed aray sonar for detection of submarine and HUMSA (hull mounted sonar advanced).