The Indian Navy has officially commissioned the new generation INS Sumitra naval offshore patrol vessel (NOPV) built by Goa Shipyard (GSL) at Chennai, India, bolstering its maritime surveillance and coastal security.
To be deployed into the Eastern Naval Command at Chennai, the navy’s largest OPV is powered by two SEMT Pielstick diesel engines that are capable of achieving a maximum speed of 25k while offering an endurance of about 6,000nm.
GSL CMD NM former rear admiral Shekhar Mital said: "It is a matter of great pride for us at GSL that with the delivery of this important potent warship to the Navy, with no time and cost over runs, GSL achieves the milestone of delivering 203 ships.
"This is the legacy and execution track record GSL, as a proud PSU shipyard, brings to the fore."
Based on GSL’s in-house design, the new vessel is integrated with weapons, guns, heavy-calibre SRGM, rapid-fire Russian AK630 guns, chaff launchers Kavach, EW system Sanket, in addition to several other electronic sensors.
Upon commissioning, the OPV will assist the navy in executing ocean surveillance and surface warfare operations to thwart infiltration and transgression of maritime autonomy, while monitoring sea lanes of communication, protection of offshore oil installations and other essential offshore national assets.
The latest commissioning follows GSL’s delivery of three of the series of 105m-long class NOP vessels, including INS Saryu, Sunayna and Sumedha to the navy between 2012 and this year.
Image: INS Sumitra will bolster the Indian Navy’s maritime surveillance and coastal security. Photo: courtesy of Indian Navy.
