Naval Warship INS Kochi Commissioned by Defence Minister Parrikar

India Wednesday inducted its largest-ever warship and stealth-guided missile destroyer INS Kochi into its naval fleet at Mumbai dockyard.

Speaking on the occasion, Admiral RK Dhowan said that commissioning of INS Kochi is a milestone in the self-reliance programme of the Navy and stated that the indigenisation of platforms, weapons, sensors and equipment, through public as well as private sectors, will continue to remain a focus area of the Indian Navy.

It is fitted armed with active phased array radar and carries BrahMos surface-to-surface missiles as well as a 76mm gun and other weapons. Last year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi commissioned INS Kolkata, first of the three destroyers and the last ship, INS Chennai, is expected to join the naval forces later in 2016.Weighing over 7500 tonnes, the ship spans 164 metres in length and 17 metres at the beam.

INS Kochi will strengthen the navy in discharging its duty of safeguarding its marine interests in the Indian Ocean region, Tehelka.com reported today.

In addition, the vessel features indigenous rocket launchers (IRL), indigenous twin-tube torpedo launchers (ITTL) and bow-mounted new generation HUMSA Sonar Dome. The ship is equipped to operate two Sea King or Chetak helicopters.Unique features ” All sea trials of this ship are complete.

It is only the second Indian Naval warship to have a Multi-Function Surveillance and Threat Alert Radar (MF-STAR) which provide target data to Long Range Surface-to-Air Missile systems (LR-SAM). Yet another costlier project worth 29,644 Cr to construct four stealth destroyers at MDL, with the first INS Visakhapatnam is due delivery in 2018-2019. “This further reaffirms our resolve and faith in indigenous ship building and “Make in India” program”. The ship thus has many lethal weapons to her credit which include the successful fitment of vertically launched missile system for long distance engagement of shore and sea-based targets. India’s developmental destiny is strongly linked to the seas around us.