Navy to induct anti-submarine warship ‘Kavaratti’ amid India-China tension
By Newsmeter Network Published on 21 Oct 2020 1:35 PM GMT
Visakhapatnam : The Indian Navy to induct the last of four indigenously built Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) stealth corvettes “INS Kavaratti” amid India-China tension. Under the Project 28 (Kamorta class) it is scheduled to be commissioned into the Indian Navy by Chief of the Army Staff General Manoj Mukund Naravane, at Naval Dockyard, Visakhapatnam on October 22.
Kavaratti takes her name from erstwhile INS Kavaratti which was an Arnala class missile corvette. The older Kavaratti distinguished herself by operating in support of Bangladesh's liberation in 1971.
Touted as a potent Stealth ASW Corvette, Kavaratti is indigenously designed by the Indian Navy's in-house organisation, Directorate of Naval Design(DND). It is built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata, and portrays the growing capability of the Indian Navy, GRSE and the nation in becoming self-reliant through indigenization, thus, accentuating our national objective of “Atmanirbhar Bharat”, Navy said.
The ship has up to 90% indigenous content and the use of carbon composites for the superstructure is a commendable feat achieved in Indian shipbuilding. The ship’s weapons and sensors suite is predominantly indigenous and showcases the nation’s growing capability in this niche area.
Kavaratti has state-of-the-art weapons and sensor suite capable of detecting and prosecuting submarines. In addition to its anti-submarine warfare capability, the ship also has a credible self defence capability and good endurance for long-range deployments.
"It is noteworthy that the ship will be commissioned into the Navy as a combat-ready platform as the ship has completed sea trials of all the systems fitted onboard. It is a praiseworthy achievement in itself, taking into consideration the restrictions imposed due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic during which she was delivered to the Navy. With the induction of Kavaratti into its fold, the Indian Navy’s preparedness will be enhanced" the navy said in its statement.
