Indian Navy To Commission Anti-Submarine Warfare Ship INS Kavaratti Tomorrow

The last of the four indigenously-built anti-submarine warfare (ASW) ships under Project 28, INS Kavaratti, will be commissioned into the Indian Navy on Thursday in Vishakhapatnam.

The Kamorta class stealth corvettes ‘INS Kavaratti’ will be commissioned into the Indian Navy by General Manoj Mukund Naravane.

“Touted as a potent Stealth ASW Corvette, Kavaratti is indigenously designed by the Indian Navy’s in-house organisation, Directorate of Naval Design (DND), and built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata. It portrays the growing capability of the Indian Navy,” a statement from the Navy said.

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.

The ship has up to 90 per cent 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.

INS Kavaratti has a 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 Indian Navy as a combat-ready platform because the ship has completed sea trials of all systems fitted onboard.

It is a praiseworthy achievement in itself, taking into consideration the restrictions imposed due to ongoing Covid-19 pandemic during which she was delivered to the Navy.