Indian Navy Commissions INS Koswari

INS Koswari, the ninth indigenously built Fast Attack Craft (FAC) of the Indian Navy was commissioned by Lieutenant General Bikram Singh, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Command of the Indian Army at the Naval Base, Visakhapatnam on 12 Jul 11, at a colourful ceremony.

Vice Admiral Anup Singh, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Naval Command and Rear Admiral (Retd) KC Sekhar, Chief Managing Director, GRSE were present on the occasion. The ceremony was also attended by several senior officers and men of the Navy along with their families.

On arrival at the Naval Jetty the Chief Guest was received by Vice Admiral Anup Singh. The GOC-in-C was presented a Guard of Honour. Following the inaugural and keynote addresses delivered by Rear Admiral K C Sekhar (Retd), Chairman and Managing Director, M/s Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) Limited, and Vice Admiral Anup SIngh respectively, Lieutenant Commander Anil Kumar, Commanding Officer INS Koswari, read out the Commissioning Warrant.

Hoisting of the Naval Ensign onboard for the first time and breaking of the Commissioning Pennant with the National Anthem being played marked the formal Commissioning Ceremony. Lt. General Bikram Singh addressed the gathering on completion of the Ceremony and unveiled the Ships Plaque.

Conceived, designed and built indigenously at M/s Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) Ltd. of Kolkota, this small yet highly manoeuvrable craft is ideally suited for deployment along the coast. Its ability to operate in shallow waters at high speeds, day-night surveillance capability coupled with enhanced fire power is expected to give the requisite impetus to combating asymmetric threats emanating from the sea.

Named after an island off Tuticorin, INS Koswari, measuring 52 meters in length and displacing 325 tons, can achieve speeds in excess of 30 Knots. The Ship has a complement of four officers and 35 sailors. Built for extended coastal and offshore surveillance and patrol, with advanced MTU engines and latest communication sets, INS Koswari will be based at Karwar, under the Naval Officer-in-Charge (Karnataka) and will be deployed for Coastal Patrol and Anti-Piracy missions along the Konkan Coast and the Lakshadweep group of islands.
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Source: indiannavy, July 14, 2011