India has achieved another milestone in its defence shields when it's commissioned INS Sahayadri, which is third of its indigenously designed and built warships. The state-of-the-art, 142.5-metre-long frigate with a lethal mix of array of weaponry and sensors was commissioned here by Union Defence Minister A.K. Antony.
By the commissioning of the INS Sahyadri, it will enhance India's blue water capacity and ensure maritime security.
On the occasion, Antony said that Indian Navy's role as a key facilitator in promoting peace and stability in the Indian Ocean region has been highly appreciated.
"However, the present operating environment of our navy dictates that we balance our resources, with a strategy that is responsive across the full range of blue and brown water operations," he added.
It is noted that INS Sahyadri is the third and last of the Project-17 warships built at the Mazagon Docks Limited (MDL) with help from the Indian Navy's internal design bureau.
The MDL had laid the keel of INS Sahyadri in March 2003 and launched it in the water in May 2005. The warship had gone out into the Arabian Sea for sea trials earlier this year.
INS Shivalik had last month sailed up to China's western Pacific coast on a long-haul deployment and had berthed in Shanghai. INS Shivalik was commissioned in April 2010 and INS Satpura in August 2011. With the commissioning of INS Sahyadri, Project-17, which cost nearly Rs.10 billion, stands completed.
These also carry a mix of Indian, Russian, and Western weapons such as the 3-inch Otobreda gun, DTA-53-956 torpedo launchers, RBU-6000 rocket launchers, Shtil surface-to-air missile system with 24 short to medium range missiles, Klub anti-ship cruise missiles, Indian BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles and the Israeli Barak-I missile defence system.
(With inputs from IANS)
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