Three water jet fast attack crafts launched in Kolkata

KOLKATA - Three exclusive combat ships, known as water jet fast attack crafts (WJFACs), were launched for the Indian Navy by the Ministry of Defence managed Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Limited (GRSE) at its Rajabagan Dockyard near Kolkata.

The three WJFACs will join the Southern Naval Command fleet for both coastal and high seas patroling.

The crafts have been christened INS Kabra, INS Koswari and INS Karuva after the names of picturesque islands in the Arabian Sea.

Vice Admiral K N Sushil, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief (FOC-in-C) of the Kochi-based Southern Naval Command, accepted the three crafts after his wife cracked the traditional coconut on the hull of the ships prior to their launch.

He said these smaller crafts were much faster than the larger ships and would help patrol the coastal waters more effectively.

“They have got good speed and, they have this water jet propulsion, which means that the propeller is not exposed to the ground and thus, it can go into shallow water very fast.

Which is a great advantage when you are tackling ships, which are of the size of a fishing boats or moving fast in coastal water. This is the main role of this ship,” he added.

Admiral Sushil further noted that the crafts are designed in such a manner that the propellers are not exposed to the ground, enabling them to manoeuvre even in shallow waters.

After the 26/11 terror attacks, the Indian Navy has also been assigned coastal security as a supplement the Indian Coast Guard.

“the Navy has a wide variety of roles, and, one of such role after the 26/11 terror attacks, is coastal security. We can’t deploy our big ships for such jobs. It is costly and not cost effective. Therefore, it is better to have ships, which are capable of such role. These are tailor made for such roles,” Admiral Sushil said.

The advantage of the WJFAC is tested and proven shape of its hull and improved efficiency. Each of these crafts is capable of cruising at speeds of 35 knots per hour on the high seas.

Another notable feature of the WJFAC is the Reverse Osmosis Plant for fresh water generation and sewage treatment plant to comply with international maritime organisation regulations. (ANI)