21 Nov 2016 is a very historic day as the Kolkata Class Destroyer INS Chennai was finally commissioned into the Indian Navy. The induction of INS Chennai is an important milestone for both Navy and India as it sets a new benchmark for India’s shipbuilding capabilities.
Here are the few things you should know about this latest warship of India:
- Built under the codename of “Project 15 Alpha”, INS Chennai is the 3rd ship of Kolkata class destroyer. The other two destroyers are INS Kochi (commissioned on 30 September 2015) and INS Kolkata (commissioned on 16 August 2014).
- INS Chennai was built by MDL (Mazagaon Dock Limited). The shipyard is going to make 75 submarines and we have a very long way to go to achieve complete self-reliance.
- Reportedly, this ship is the “largest-ever” warship to be made in India.
- INS Chennai is loaded with two unique features – The Kawach System and Star Surveillance Radar for defence against enemy missiles.
- It is fully loaded with an array of advanced weapons, including supersonic surface-to-surface BrahMos missiles and Barak-8 long-range surface-to-air missiles.
- It has a length of 164 metres and a displacement of over 7,500 tonnes, making INS Chennai one of the largest destroyers in the Naval fleet.
- With this much weight, it can reach a max speed of 30 knots or 55kmph.
- With the joining of INS Chennai in Indian Navy’s fleet, its strength will substantially increase in naval warfare.
- After undergoing further trials, INS Chennai will work under the operational and administrative control of the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief Western Naval Command.
- According to reports, the ship is also designed to carry and operate up to two multi-role helicopters, Sea King Medium-Lift Transport/Utility helicopter or HAL Dhruv Multirole Utility helicopter or both 1 x 1.
With the ship’s induction, it marks the end of the Project 15A to build Kolkata class guided missile destroyers.
