Congratulating Goa Shipyard for meeting the timelines
of the ship’s delivery to the Indian Navy, as well as for the
quality of work, VAdm Chopra said “the warship-building process
is recognized the world over as one of the most challenging feats
of engineering, from design through hull construction, outfitting,
integration of diverse equipment, setting to work and finally, the
delivery acceptance trials. INS Sumedha, is a fine example of this
complex process”.
This 105 meter Vessel is the third in the series of
four New class of NOPVs designed and built by Goa Shipyard Ltd for
the Indian Navy. INS ‘SUMEDHA’ is the 200th Vessel built
by GSL and marks yet another significant milestone in the nation’s
journey towards indigenisation and self reliance.
RAdm (Retd) Shekhar Mital, NM, CMD GSL in his address
said “even before delivery of ongoing four NOPVs, we have improved
upon our own design and CG OPVs with higher head space, larger beam,
higher stability, better ship handling capability, higher fuel efficiency
(at cruising speed 15% less powering requirement than NOPVs) are under
construction. I strongly feel that Indian Navy may like to gain from
this advance design by a ‘repeat’ order. Further as per
Naval requirement, we can add on anymore weapons / modules in this
improved design. Repeat order will optimize cost for Navy, as we will
not include any R&D charges on the project and will pass benefit
of available improved design to Navy”.
INS ‘SUMEDHA’ will help meet the increasing
requirement of the Indian Navy for undertaking ocean surveillance
and surface warfare operations in order to prevent infiltration and
transgression of maritime sovereignty. This Vessel is suitable for
monitoring sea lanes of communication, defence of offshore oil installations
and other critical offshore national assets. Besides, the Vessel can
be deployed for escorting high value ships and fleet support operations.
CMD GSL further said “keeping into view Maritime
Capability Perspective Plan of Navy and Coast Guard, GSL has embarked
upon a massive modernisation program aimed at creating new facilities
and infrastructure, while augmenting existing ones. We have spent
Rs. 300 crore from our own reserves on account of anticipated MCMV
project. further modernization Phase III, at cost of Rs. 400 crore
is progressing rapidly and is expected to be completed by Jul 2015.
This will enable us to deliver quality
ships/MCMV project at a competitive cost, with shorter construction
periods and will increase our production capacity and product mix”.
“It is intriguing to me that against 45 naval
ships under construction in the country at various shipyards, GSL
has only one vessel in hand. I am sure it is our turn to get the attention
of Navy and MoD. I am certain that policy makers at MoD and Navy will
leverage these strategic assets / ship building capabilities built
over the years at GSL”, CMD GSL added.
In accordance with maritime traditions, the Commanding
Officer of the Ship
Cdr. Anand E. Kulkarni read the ‘Commissioning Warrant’
after which the National Flag and the Commissioning pennant was hoisted
for the first time. The ship was dressed overall with various flags
making the event more colourful.
Former Chiefs of Naval Staff, Admiral Arun Prakash
and Admiral Sureesh Mehta, VAdm K. R. Nair AVSM CWP&A, RAdm B.
S. Parhar NM Flag Officer Commanding Goa area and Naval Aviation,
RAdm (Retd) Shekhar Mital, NM, CMD GSL and Senior Officers from the
Indian Navy, Coast Guard and GSL were present during the Commissioning
Ceremony.
