The Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral RK Dhowan commissioned INS Sumitra the 4th indigenous Naval Offshore Patrol Vessel into the Indian Navy at ceremony held at Chennai.
INS Sumitra is expected to play a major role in patrolling India’s eastern seaboard and will be responsible for countering the maritime challenges in the Bay of Bengal and the waters of the adjoining Eastern Indian Ocean Region. 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.
Complimenting the efforts of naval ship designers and defence sect
or shipyards, Admiral stated that “The blue print for the future Indian Navy is firmly anchored on self-reliance and indigenisation and currently we have 41 ships and submarines under construction in various public and private shipyards within the country”. It is a matter of great pride that over the decades, we have transformed from a “Buyer’s Navy” to a “Builders Navy”, he stated.
Designed and built by Goa Shipyard Limited, measures 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.
