Indian Navy Commissions Second Kamorta Class Stealth ASW Corvette ‘INS Kadmatt’

: Posted On Friday, 08 January 2016 09:30

Naval Forces News - India

Indian Navy Commissions Second Kamorta Class Stealth ASW Corvette ‘INS Kadmatt’

INS Kadmatt, second ship of Project 28 (P28) / Kamorta class Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) Corvettes, was commissioned into the Indian Navy by the Chief of Naval Staff during a ceremony held at Naval Dockyard, Visakhapatnam on 07 Jan 16. The event marks the formal induction into the Navy of the vessel.

Kamorta class ASW stealth corvette designed by Indian Navy's in-house organization, Directorate of Naval Design (DND). Picture: Indian Navy

Kadmatt is the second of four ASW stealth corvettes designed by Indian Navy's in-house organization, Directorate of Naval Design (DND) and built by the GRSE under Project 28. The first ship of the class 'Karmota' production commenced on 01 March 2006 and was launched on 19 April 2010. Her maiden sea trials commenced in June 2013. She was handed over to the Indian Navy by the Shipbuilders on 12 July 2014 and commissioned in August 2014.

Addressing the gathering Admiral RK Dhowan, Chief of the Naval Staff said that “Commissioning of INS Kadmatt marks yet another milestone in our journey towards self-reliance and Make-in-India”. He further said that the new INS Kadmatt commissioned today, would proudly carry forward the name she inherits from her illustrious predecessor, the older Petya Class. The earlier Kadmatt, also an ASW Corvette, acquired in 1968 from the erstwhile Soviet Union, distinguished herself in the 24 years of service to the nation, particularly during the 1971 Indo-Pak war, Operation Pawan in Sri Lanka, and Operation Tasha.

Kamorta is fitted with an Oto Melara 76mm main gun, two AK-630M CIWS, two RBU-6000 anti-submarine rocket launcher, 16x Barak SAM, 8x 3M54 Klub anti-ship missiles and two triple torpedo launchers. Picture: Indian Navy

Kamorta class vessels are constructed using high grade steel (DMR 249A) produced in India. With a displacement of about 3500 tonnes, the sleek and magnificent ship spans about 110 meters in length and 14 meters at the beam. The ship’s propulsion system consists of two Diesel Engines to achieve a maximum speed of 25 knots and an endurance of about 3500 nautical miles. Enhanced stealth features incorporating ‘X’ form of Hull, full beam superstructure, inclined ship-sides and use of Infra Red Signature Suppression (IRSS) make her less susceptible to detection.

About 90% of the ship is indigenous, with its weapons and sensors suite showcasing the nation’s growing capability in designing and developing sophisticated weapon systems, which include heavy weight torpedoes, ASW rockets, Medium Range gun and Close-in-Weapon System comprising of two multi-barrel guns. Her sensors include the most advanced bow mounted sonar and indigenous air surveillance radar Revathi with capability to detect targets exceeding 200 Km. The ship would also be installed with short-range Surface-to-Air missiles (SAM) and Active Towed Array Decoy System (ATDS) subsequently. It can also carry an integral ASW helicopter.

File photo of Kamorta during her trials. Picture: Indian Navy

INS Kadmatt has a multitude of networks such as Total Atmospheric Control System (TACS), Integrated Platform Management System (IPMS), Integrated Bridge System (IBS), Battle Damage Control System (BDCS) and Personnel Locator System (PLS) to provide a contemporary and process oriented System of Systems for optimal functioning of the warship. The unique feature of this ship is the high level of indigenisation incorporated in the production, accentuating our national objective of ‘Make in India’. About 90% of the ship is indigenous and the ship is equipped to fight in Nuclear, Biological and Chemical (NBC) warfare conditions. INS Kadmatt has many firsts to its credit which include the rail-less helo traversing system and foldable hangar door for the integral ASW helicopter. The ship’s weapons and sensors suite is predominantly indigenous and showcases the nation’s growing capability in this niche area. Some of the major equipment/ systems developed indigenously include Combat Management System, Rocket Launcher, Torpedo Tube Launchers and Infra-Red Signature Suppression System.

The ship is manned by a crew comprising 13 officers and 173 sailors with Commander Manoj Jha as her first Commanding Officer. Upon commissioning on 23 August 2014, the ship would become an integral part of the Eastern Fleet under the Eastern Naval Command.