'INS Karuva', the Indian Navy's tenth indigenously built fast attack craft (FAC) was commissioned on August 25 at Visakhapatnam Naval Base in Andhra Pradesh state.
Named after an island situated on a tributary of the River Kabani in Kerala, 'INS Karuva' measures 52 metres in length and displaces 325 tonnes. With advanced MTU engines, the vessel can achieve speeds in excess of 30 knots. The ship has a complement of four officers and 39 sailors.
Built for extended coastal and offshore surveillance and patrol, 'INS Karuva' also be based at Karwar and will be deployed for coastal patrol and anti-piracy missions along the Konkan Coast and the Lakshadweep group of islands.
