Western Fleet better equipped to handle INS Jalashva:USS Dubuque CO

Mumbai, Mar 31 (UNI) The Indian Navy's Western Fleet, based here, is better equipped to handle former United States Ship (USS) Trenton, now Indian Naval Ship (INS) Jalashva, which is expected to join the Indian Fleet by the end of June or early July, according to USS Dubuque Commanding Officer Captain William C Hamilton.

Addressing the Indian media contigent onboard the 17,000- ton amphibious ship, which is on a port call, here today, Capt Hamilton expressed concern over the maintenance of USS Trenton by the Eastern Fleet.

He said, ''The Eastern Fleet, located at the Vishakapatnam port in Andhra Pradesh, has never undertaken any maintence of a steam powered engine ships for the last one decade and INS Jalashva is propelled by two steam-driven main engines.'' On the contrary, the Western Fleet was better equipped to handle INS Jalashva, which is expected to join the Indian Fleet by the end of June or early July, he informed.

He said at present, INS Jalashva is berthed in Virginia on the coast of Norfolk, where the Indian Naval personnel and engineers are undertaking requisite training for the maintence of the ship.

Appreciating the Indian Navy as a great Navy consisting of professional mariners and great sailors, the Capt said the US Navy was looking ahead for joint maritime security operations with the Indian Navy in the future.

To a poser, whether the Indian Navy is acquiring any other ships from the US Navy, he replied ''INS Jalashva is the first US warship to be sold to India and all future deals will depend upon its utility, ability and success.'' The Comamnding Officer pointed out that the port call to Mumbai would continue till April 4, during which the Indian Naval personnel and technical teams from the Western Fleet would visit USS Dubuque for orientation and maintenance-related issues.

Commissioned in 1967, USS Dubuque is named after the Iowa city on the Mississipi River and her founder Julien Dubuque -- a French- Canadian explorer. Dubuque displaces 17,000 tons with a length of 569 feet and draft of 21 feet. She has 50,000 square feet of storage area for vehicles, aircraft and ordnance and is propelled by two steam-driven main engines.

The vessel is armed with two 25 mm machine gun mounts, two 20 mm Vulcan-phalanx close-in weapon system mounts and eight 50 caliber gun mounts. The ship has a crew of 400 sailors and 40 officers and can embark a Marine Expeditionary Unit of 850 US Marines.

UNI