Defence Updates
Keel laying for the first ship of Diving Support Craft (DSC) project held in Kolkata
Decommissioned INS Khaki handed over to Diu Administration
CSL delivers three Floating Border Out-Post vessels to BSF
Port Blair/Kolkata: In a boost to maritime security, the indigenous Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) MK III aircraft was formally inducted at INS Utkrosh by Commander-in-Chief, Andaman and Nicobar Command (CINCAN) Lieutenant General Ajai Singh at Port Blair today.
As the rotor blades of the versatile helicopter cut through the air, aircraft were ceremonially welcomed into ANC with a traditional water cannon salute. The induction marks a continuing increase in the capabilities of the A&N Command in the past two decades of its raising as India’s only joint theatre command, the Ministry of Defence stated.
The ALH MK III aircraft is manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited and represents a leap towards self-reliance in the field of military aircraft, in line with the government’s push towards ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’. Till date, over 300 of these aircraft have been delivered by HAL and are being flown by the Armed Forces. Amongst its variants, the MK III variant is a maritime role variant encompassing state-of-the-art sensors and weapons that add punch to India’s prowess at sea.
The ALH MK III aircraft with its glass cockpit, Shakti engines, advanced Maritime Patrol Radar, Electro–optical payload and Night Vision Device will act as a force multiplier in keeping India’s far eastern seaboard and Island territories safe. The state-of-the-art aircraft has multirole capabilities including maritime surveillance, support for Special Forces, medical evacuations besides search and rescue roles.
Today, Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), under the Ministry of Ports, Ships and Waterways, delivered the second lot of three Floating Border Out-Post (FBOPs) vessels to the Border Security Force. CSL has got orders for building nine such FBOPs from the Ministry of Home Affairs in March 2019. Three more vessels are likely to be delivered in the coming months.
The FBOPs with an overall length of 46 meters and breadth of 12 meters are designed for deployment in Inland waters of India, specifically in the creek area of Kutch (Gujarat) and Sunderbans of West Bengal. The vessels are designed in-house by CSL and classed by Indian Register of Shipping and each FBOP vessel are designed with stowage arrangements for four fast patrol boats, which can be launched and hoisted using its own davit system. The vessel shall act as the floating base for the flotilla of fast patrol boats. The vessel is to supply Petrol, Fresh Water and provisions to the smaller boats.
Meanwhile, the keel laying for the first ship of Diving Support Craft (DSC) project was held on January 27, 2022 in virtual presence of representatives from the Indian Navy, at Titagarh Wagons Ltd., Kolkata. The contract for procurement of Five Diving Support Crafts (Yards 325 to 329) for the Indian Navy was signed in February 2021 with Titagarh Wagons Ltd.
The ships will be commissioned in the Indian Navy to provide diving assistance for ships inside and close to harbour, for underwater repairs, maintenance and salvage. The ships will be fitted with state-of-the-art diving equipment and tools for performing the diving operations. With all main and auxiliary equipment sourced from indigenous manufacturers, these ships are proud flag bearers of Make in India initiatives of the Ministry of Defence.
In the meantime, INS Khukri (P49), the first indigenously built missile corvette of Indian Navy, was handed over to the Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu (DNHDD) Administration on January 26, 2022. In a solemn ceremony held at the INS Khukri Memorial, Diu, Rear Admiral Ajay Vinay Bhave, Flag Officer Doctrine and Concepts, handed over the decommissioned ship formally to Praful Patel, Administrator of the Union Territory of DNHDD & Lakshadweep. The event included an enthralling performance by the Indian Navy Band and the illumination of naval ships at anchorage.
Also read: INS Khukri decommissioned after 32 years of glorious service to the nation
Khukri is planned to be converted into a museum by the Diu Administration for public visits. The museum will be co-located with the existing Khukri Memorial, where the scaled-down version of the first INS Khukri (F149), a Blackwood class anti-submarine frigate, is also placed.
– global bihari bureau
