The Indian Navy has received a significant boost in firepower after it recently inducted its latest frigate, the 'INS Tarkash', into its Western fleet in Mumbai.
The 'INS Tarkash' is the second of three project 1135.6 (follow-on Talwar class) ships ordered by the Navy, the first being the 'INS Teg', which joined the fleet in June, 2012.
The third stealth frigate, the 'INS Trikhand', is likely to be delivered by mid-2013.
On arrival at the Naval Dockyard in Mumbai, the ship and her crew were welcomed by rear admiral A R Karve, the commanding flag officer of the Western Fleet. Officers of the Western Naval Command were also present at the event.
The vessel was commissioned in November, 2012, by vice admiral Shekhar Sinha.
The multi role stealth frigate features an advanced combat suite and a blend of Russian and Indian technologies. The ship not only bolsters the Indian Navy's role as a key facilitator in promoting peace and stability in the Indian Ocean Region, it also dynamically embodies Indo-Russian military technical cooperation, the Indian Navy said in a statement.
The vessel has formidable array of weaponry and sensors on board, including a supersonic Brahmos missile system, advanced surface-to-air missile system, upgraded 100mm medium range gun, optically controlled 30 mm close-in weapon system, torpedoes, rocket launchers, anti-submarine rockets and advanced electronic warfare/communication suite.
The vessel is commanded by Captain Antony George, an anti-submarine warfare specialist, and manned by a crew of 23 officers and 228 sailors.
The vessel has been built by the Yantar Shipyard in Kaliningrad, Russia, and was handed over to the Indian Navy in the presence of the Indian Ambassador to the Russian Federation, senior officials of the Russian Government and the Indian and Russian Navies, and other officials.
J Kanojia
