The Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral RK Dhowan, PVSM, AVSM, YSM, ADC commissioned INS Sumitra (fourth indigenous Naval Offshore Patrol Vessel) into the Indian Navy today at a ceremony held at Chennai.
On arrival at the Chennai Port Complex, Admiral Dhowan was presented a ceremonial ‘Guard of Honour’ and was introduced to the dignitaries present for commissioning ceremony.
He said that INS Sumitra will have a major role to play in patrolling India’s eastern seaboard and will be an important component under the NOIC (Tamil Nadu & Puducherry) and the Eastern Naval Command, which has the responsibility of countering the maritime challenges in the Bay of Bengal and the waters of the adjoining Eastern Indian Ocean Region.
INS Sumitra is the first major ship being based at Chennai in recognition of the growing importance of the region and enhanced surveillance needs. The primary role of the ship is to undertake surveillance of the country’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) besides other operational tasks such as anti-piracy patrols, fleet support operations, maritime security of off-shore assets and escort operations of high value naval platforms.
Designed and built by Goa Shipyard Limited, INS Sumitra is about 105 meters in length, 13 meters in breadth and displacing 2200 tons, the ship can achieve speed of 25 knots with an endurance of 6000 nautical miles.
The ship’s weapon and sensor outfit include a 76.2 mm gun (Super Rapid Gun Mount), Close in Weapon Systems, latest navigational and early warning radars, chaff launchers and an integrated Electronic Support Measures (ESM) system to undertake all assigned missions. She is also equipped with two Rigid Inflatable Fast Motor Boats. In addition, the ship is also capable of carrying a helicopter onboard.
The propulsion package of the ship includes two Pielstick make diesel engines, which are the largest engines of their type to be inducted in the Indian Navy, and enable the ship to achieve speed of up to 25 knots. Further, the entire propulsion and power management of the ship is controlled electronically by means of a remote control system. The ship is equipped with a fully integrated LAN system along with a CCTV management system which enables optimal utilisation of onboard equipment and optimisation of manpower.
The ship is commanded by Commander Milind Mohan Mokashi, a Communication Specialist who is an alumnus of the 53rd Naval Academy Course and the prestigious 67th Defence Services Staff Course at Wellington. The ship is manned by nine officers and 105 sailors. The induction of the ship will add capacity and capability to be the Navy’s efforts to protect the nation’s maritime security needs.