INS Sudarshini Joins Indian Navy

INS  Sudarshini  a  three  masted  barque (sail ship) and the second sail training ship of the  Indian  Navy  was  commissioned  by  Vice Admiral  KN  Sushil,  Flag  Officer  Commanding in  Chief  Southern  Naval  Command  at  Naval Base, Kochi.

INS Sudarshini is a follow on class of INS Tarangini which joined Southern  Naval  Command  in  1997.  The  ship commanded by Commander P K Boyiri Varma is built by Goa Shipyard Limited and is designed  by  the  British  Naval  Architect  Mr  Colin  Mudie.  INS  Sudarshini  with  an  overall length of 54 m, has 20 sails, 7.5 kms of rope and 1.5 kms of steel wire rope. She can sail for up to 20 days with its complement of 05 officers, 31 sailors with 30 cadets embarked for training.

INS  Sudarshini  will  join  the  First  Training  Squadron  based  at  Southern  Naval Command at Kochi. Interestingly, the ship was launched by Smt Letha Sushil, the spouse of  Vice  Admiral  Sushil  at  Goa  Shipyard  on  25th  January  2011.  Sail  Training  Ships  are crucibles for future Naval Officers for training in seamanship, navigation, ship handling, and braving the elements. The inclusion of a second sail training ship will ensure the availability of either of the ships for training of cadets on a continuous basis.

INS  Sudarshini  is  expected  to undertake  a  historic  ASEAN  voyage in September this year. The voyage, which  would  cement  the  historic  ties of India with the countries of ASEAN region,  will  touch  18  ports  in  8 countries  and  will  conclude  in  April 2013.

Southern  Naval  Command eschewed  the  traditional  grandeur befitting  a  commissioning  ceremony, in  view  of  the  passing  away  of  the Governor of Kerala.

[mappress]
Naval Today Staff , January 30, 2012; Image: indiannavy