INS Nilgiri's Captain Declares Stealth Frigate a Game-Changer for Maritime Security
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Synopsis
Prime Minister Narendra Modi commissioned INS Surat, INS Nilgiri, and INS Vaghsheer, strengthening India's naval capabilities. INS Nilgiri, a stealth frigate, is designed to evade enemy detection and enhance maritime security.
Key Takeaways
- INS Nilgiri represents advanced stealth capabilities.
- 75% of the warships' components are indigenously manufactured.
- The Navy honors its heritage by re-commissioning ships with the same names.
- Special strategies are in place to maintain crew morale.
- India's naval fleet has expanded significantly with these new additions.
Mumbai, Jan 15 (NationPress) The commissioning of INS Surat, INS Nilgiri, and INS Vaghsheer by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday signifies a transformative leap for India's maritime defense capabilities. INS Surat, the P 158 guided missile destroyer, ranks among the globe’s most sophisticated warships, while INS Nilgiri stands out as a stealth frigate, and INS Vaghsheer is a submarine from the P75 Scorpene initiative.
INS Nilgiri, the inaugural vessel of the P17A Stealth Frigate Project, was meticulously designed by the Indian Navy’s Warship Design Bureau, boasting advanced characteristics that enhance its survivability, seakeeping, and stealth, thus epitomizing the next generation of homegrown frigates.
A notable aspect of these vessels is that approximately 75 percent of the components used in INS Surat and INS Nilgiri are produced domestically.
The commanding officers and the captain of INS Nilgiri elaborated to IANS on the significant maritime capabilities this vessel will offer.
Captain Nitin Kapoor described the launch of the three warships by PM Modi as ‘historic and unprecedented,’ expressing great pride for both the armed forces and the nation.
“INS Nilgiri is an advanced stealth frigate that can elude enemy radar by diffusing signals, navigate its course, and deter hostile forces. It’s a formidable, world-class stealth frigate that will instill fear in our enemies,” he remarked, reflecting on the ship's legacy from nearly 52 years ago.
Lieutenant Commander Madhav Jindal, responsible for the gunnery section on the frigate, stated that this is one of the nation's premier stealth frigates capable of addressing any maritime threat while avoiding enemy detection.
Discussing the re-commissioning of INS Nilgiri, he noted the Navy’s tradition of ensuring that no ship 'dies.'
“When any ship is decommissioned, another vessel bearing the same name is commissioned to honor its legacy,” he explained.
LK Singh, tasked with maintaining the ship's safety and crew morale, shared insights with IANS regarding the strategies employed in deep-sea operations.
“We make special efforts to keep the crew engaged and focused on their mission to monitor the nation’s adversaries. We organize sessions to mentally occupy them and prevent homesickness,” he stated.
With the commissioning of these three vessels on Wednesday, the Navy's fleet now includes 15 attack submarines, two ballistic missile submarines, 13 destroyers, and 14 frigates.
