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Admiral RK Dhowan, Chief of Naval Staff, formally
commissioned the INS Sumitra and disclosed that
due to the growing importance of the waters around
southern India and enhanced surveillance requirements,
the vessel would be based in this capital city
of Indian's southern Tamil Nadu state. In fact,
this is the first time a major ship is being based
at this port, located on the eastern seaboard
of India.
According to an official statement, "INS
Sumitra is the first major ship being based at
Chennai in recognition of the growing importance
of the region and enhanced surveillance needs.
The primary role of the ship is to undertake surveillance
of the country’s Exclusive Economic Zone
(EEZ) besides other operational tasks such as
anti-piracy patrols, fleet support operations,
maritime security of off-shore assets and escort
operations of high value naval platforms. "
Notably though, not far from here, the Navy
has also based its Boeing P8-I Long Range Maritime
Recconnaissance aircraft, which are actually submarine
killers, at naval air station INS Rajali in Arkkonam,
some 70 km from away. The Indian Ocean has become
become very important of late because of the dense
maritime traffic and the continuous presence of
military powers there. The 26/11 (2008) Pakistani
terror attack was also launched through the Indian
Ocean, albeit in this case from India's western
seaboard, and ever since, the Navy is an overdrive
to build coastal and deep sea assets with related
infrastructure for connectivity and 24 x 7 support.
Vice Admiral Satish Soni, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief
Eastern Naval Command, Vice Admiral AV Subhedar,
Controller Warship Production and Acquisition
(CWP&A), IHQ MoD(N), Rear Admiral Shekhar
Mittal (Retd), Chairman and Managing Director,
Goa Shipyard Ltd (GSL) and various other dignitaries
were also present during the commissioning ceremony.
On arrival at the Chennai Port Complex, Admiral
Dhowan was presented a ceremonial ‘Guard
of Honour’ and was introduced to the dignitaries
present for commissioning ceremony.
Addressing the gathering, Admiral Dhowan said,
“The Indian Navy is a multi-dimensional force
capable of meeting any challenge in the maritime
domain in the Indian Ocean Region. The responsibilities
of protecting our vast maritime interests fall
squarely on the shoulders of men in white uniform
as it is the responsibility of the Navy to ensure
that India’s maritime interests - which have
a vital relationship with the nation’s economic
growth - are allowed to develop unhindered both
in peace and war."
He added that INS Sumitra will have a major
role to play in patrolling India’s eastern
seaboard and will be an important component under
the NOIC (Tamil Nadu & Puducherry) and the
Eastern Naval Command, which has the responsibility
of countering the maritime challenges in the Bay
of Bengal and the waters of the adjoining Eastern
Indian Ocean Region.
Complimenting the efforts of our naval ship
designers and defence sector shipyards, the Admiral
stated that over the years we have progressively
designed and constructed 120 warships and submarines
of various categories in difference shipyards.
“The blue print for the future Indian Navy
is firmly anchored on self-reliance and indigenisation
and currently we have 41 ships and submarines
under construction in various public and private
shipyards within the country”. It is a matter
of great pride that over the decades, we have
transformed from a “Buyer’s Navy”
to a “Builders Navy”, he stated. He
later unveiled the commissioning plaque and dedicated
the ship to the nation.
Designed and built by Goa Shipyard Limited,
INS Sumitra aptly demonstrates the immense potential
of the country’s indigenous design and ship
building capability. Measuring about 105 meters
in length, 13 meters in breadth and displacing
2200 tons, the ship can achieve speed of 25 knots
with an endurance of 6000 nautical miles.
The ship’s weapon and sensor outfit include
a 76.2 mm gun (Super Rapid Gun Mount), Close in
Weapon Systems, latest navigational and early
warning radars, chaff launchers and an integrated
Electronic Support Measures (ESM) system to undertake
all assigned missions. She is also equipped with
two Rigid Inflatable Fast Motor Boats. In addition,
the ship is also capable of carrying a helicopter
onboard.
The propulsion package of the ship includes
two Pielstick make diesel engines - common to
various vessels nwo being built - which are the
largest engines of their type to be inducted in
the Indian Navy, and enable the ship to achieve
speed of up to 25 knots. Further, the entire propulsion
and power management of the ship is controlled
electronically by means of a remote control system.
The ship is equipped with a fully integrated LAN
system along with a CCTV management system which
enables optimal utilisation of onboard equipment
and optimisation of manpower.
The ship is commanded by Commander Milind Mohan
Mokashi, a Communication Specialist who is an
alumnus of the 53rd Naval Academy Course and the
prestigious 67th Defence Services Staff Course
at Wellington. The ship is manned by nine officers
and 105 sailors. The induction of the ship will
add capacity and capability to be the Navy’s
efforts to protect the nation’s maritime
security needs.
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