INS Shivalik Sails Out

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MUMBAI, INDIA (GaeaTimes.com)- Today the Indian Navy commissioned a multi-role frigate with advanced stealth features named INS Shivalik which is reported to be the largest warship in its class. The frigate is indigenously built. It is among the three new and powerful stealth frigates made for the Indian Navy and as per the plans seven more ships will be built in the next 10 years. The frigate is loaded with state-of-the-art weaponry that can effectively thwart attacks from air and marine war vehicles. It has Shtil surface-to-air missiles, RBU 6,000 anti-submarine warfare rockets as well as Klub anti-ship missiles. It has been built at a staggering cost of INR 2,800 Crore. Two other frigates are slated to be commissioned by 2012.

The INS Shivalik weighs 6000 tonne and has on board Atmospheric Control System that keeps the humidity and temperature in the ship under control at all times. The ship was commissioned by A K Antony, the Union Defence Minister of India. It was built in the Mazagaon Docks Ltd in Mumbai. The ship will have a crew consisting of 250 members. It is capable of surviving chemical, biological and nuclear attacks, as the Indian navy has confirmed.

The construction of the INS Shivalik began in the year 2002. The frigates belonging to the category of INS Shivalik are being built under Indian Navy’s Project 17 Alpha. A K Antony, the Union Defense Minister said that after the 26/11 attacks the need to reinforce the security in Indian Coastline has increased. He also said that stealth frigates are ideal for dealing with piracy which is becoming a big menace in recent times.