Manohar Parrikar commissions warship, says focus is on indigenisation

Mumbai, Sept 30: Naval warship INS Kochi, a stealth guided missile destroyer, was commissioned on Wednesday by Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, who said the navy has chalked out an indigenisation plan for the next 15 years.

"The navy has chalked out an indigination plan for the next 15 years. There is renewed enthusiasm in the defence production units, PSUs and private sector," he told reporters on board the warship at Naval Dockyard here.

"We will develop a real blue-water navy which will dominate the Indian Ocean region," Parrikar said, adding, "We still lack in fire power." The minister also spoke of a 'mixed success' on the missile system technology front. In the next 5 years there will be indiginisation to a large extent in missile technology," he said.

The finish of the INS Kochi is as "good as any foreign (naval) ship", he said, lauding those who built it. INS Kochi is the second ship of the Kolkata-class (Project 15A) guided missile destroyers.

The contract for three ships of Kolkata class was signed as a follow-on of the legendary Delhi-class destroyers, which were commissioned into the navy more than a decade ago. Designed by the navy's in-house organisation, Directorate of Naval Design, and constructed by Mazagon Dock Ship Builders Ltd in Mumbai, the ship is christened after the vibrant port city of Kochi.

Although conceived as follow-on of the earlier Delhi class, this ship is vastly superior and has major advancements in weapons and sensors.

We will develop a real blue-water navy, said Parrikar

The ship incorporates new design concepts for improved survivability, stealth, sea-keeping and manoeuvrability. With a displacement of 7,500 tons, the majestic ship spanning 164 metres in length and 17 metres at the beam, is propelled by four gas turbines and designed to achieve speeds in excess of 30 knots.

The ship has a complement of about 40 officers and 350 sailors. The accommodation and living spaces have been designed with special emphasis on ergonomics and habitability.

Enhanced stealth features have been achieved through shaping of hull and use of radar-transparent deck fittings. A bow mounted sonar dome, the second of its kind in an indigenous naval platform, has been introduced to enhance sonar acoustic performance, according to a navy spokesperson.

PTI