Stealth warship to be commissioned to Mumbai

INS 'Sahyadri', a stealth warship armed with an array of missiles, will be commissioned to Mumbai on Saturday by defence minister AK Antony, strengthening Indian Navy's anti-submarine capabilities.

INS 'Sahyadri', a stealth warship armed with an array of missiles, will be commissioned to Mumbai on Saturday by defence minister AK Antony, strengthening Indian Navy's anti-submarine capabilities.

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"INS Sahyadri – the last of the Shivalik Class Project-17 warships – is a stealth vessel after INS Shivalik and Satpura and will help in enhancing the Navy's capabilities," a Navy official said ahead of its commissioning at Western Naval Command headquarters in Mumbai.

The first two ships in the class – INS Shivalik and INS Satpura – were commissioned into service in April 2010 and
August 2011 respectively. These ships have been performing various operational tasks in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).

The 4,900-tonne INS Sahyadri is equipped with some of the most advanced anti-ship and ship-to-air missiles and can carry two helicopters - a mix of Dhruv, Sea King or Kamov - onboard for various missions.

Along with its capability to launch offensive on enemy vessels, the warship is also equipped with advanced electronic warfare capabilities and torpedoes to detect and neutralise enemy submarines.

The warship will also carry BrahMos anti-ship cruise missiles.

Designed and built by Mazagaon Dockyard Limited, the keel of INS Sahyadri was laid in March 2003 and the vessel was taken out for sea trials earlier this year.

The warship will sail with a complement of over 250 sailors, including 35 officers and can attain a speed of over 30 knots.

It has got an advanced sonar and radar system to keep an eye over any enemy movement and is fitted with a electronic
warfare suite for the purpose.