Project 25A Kora Class guided missile corvettes were built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers for the Indian Navy. Outfitted at Mazagon Dock Limited in Mumbai, four of these corvettes replaced the Russian-designed Petya II Class corvettes. Kora Class is preceded by Khukri Class and succeeded by Kamorta Class corvettes.
The Indian Navy ordered its first two vessels in April 1990 and the remaining two in October 1994. Keel for the first vessel in class, INS Kora (P61), was laid in January 1990. It was launched in September 1992 and commissioned in August 1998. INS Kirch (P62) was laid down in January 1992, launched in October 1995 and commissioned in January 2001. INS Kulish (P63) was laid in October 1995, launched in August 1997 and commissioned in August 2001. The last ship in class, INS Karmuk (P64), was laid down in August 1997 and launched in April 2001 ready for commissioning in February 2004.
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Kora Class design
Designed by the naval design bureau of India under Project 25A, the indigenously built warships are armed with long-range anti-ship missiles, super rapid guns and a close-in weapon system (CIWS).
The design incorporates early warning radars and an electronic warfare system. The sleek lines and low radar cross section enable the vessels to deeply penetrate enemy lines. The ship is fitted with fin stabilisers and powered by two diesel engines that provide a total power of 14,200shp.
The corvette has an overall length of 91.1m, beam of 10.45m and draught of 3.07m. The full load displacement of the vessel is 1,350t.
Kora Class can complement a total crew size of 134. Accommodation facilities are provided for 79 crew members.
Kora Class missiles
The Kora Class is armed with four quadruple KT-184 launchers on either side of the bridge. Each launcher can fire four 3M-24E (Nato code name: SS-N-25 Switchblade) anti-ship missiles. The 3M-24E missile is guided by active radar homing and can carry 145kg warhead to a range of 130km at Mach 0.9 speed.
Two shoulder-launched Strela-2M (Nato code name: SA-N-5 Grail) SAM launchers serve the air defence purposes. The Strela-2M has a range of 4.2km and a speed of Mach 1.75. INS Kulish is equipped with two Igla SAM launchers.
Naval guns
The corvette is armed with a 76mm AK-176 dual-purpose gun and two 30mm AK-630 CIWS. AK-176 can fire at the rate of 120RPM to a range of 15.5km, while AK-630 can fire 3,000RPM to a range of 2km. INS Kirch and INS Kulish are fitted with a 76mm Otobreda super rapid gun firing 120RPM.
Kora Class helicopter system
The corvette features an aft helicopter deck to support the operations of a single HAL Chetak or a HAL Dhruv helicopter. The warship is not equipped with hangar and maintenance facilities.
Sensors and radar
The sensor suite includes a MR-352 Pozitiv-E (Cross Dome) air or surface search radar, Bharat 1245 navigation radar and BEL Rani navigation radar. The MR-352 radar can track targets within a range of 130km. Fire control is provided by Garpun-Bal and MR-123 radars. The Garpun-Bal radar mounted on the bridge operates in X-band.
Countermeasures
The corvette is fitted with the Ajanta P Mk II Electronic Support Measures system. There are four PK-10 chaff launchers and two towed torpedo decoys to deceive incoming anti-ship missiles and torpedoes. PK-10 is a 10 tube 120mm barrage chaff launcher that can fire 80 rounds at a time.
Propulsion
Kora Class is powered by two diesel engines driving two controllable pitch propellers through two shafts. Each engine is rated at 7,100hp. Four diesel alternators rated at 350kW are provided for power generation. The propulsion system provides a top speed of 25kt, an average speed of 16kt and a maximum range of 4,000nm.
