INS Kochi: India’s largest ever warship commissioned in Mumbai
Mumbai: Naval warship INS Kochi, the largest-ever warship to be built in India, was commissioned by defence minister Manohar Parrikar at the Naval Dockyard in Mumbai Finish of the INS Kochi is good as any foreign ship, Manohar Parrikar said.
“Jahi Shatrun Mahabaho” loosely means “Armed to conquer the enemy” in Sanskrit. It’s an apt motto for guided-missile destroyer INS Kochi, packed with weapons and sensors as well as advanced stealth features.
INS Kochi is the second ship of the Kolkata-class (Project 15A) Guided Missile Destroyers. The contract for three ships of Kolkata class was signed as a follow-on of the legendary Delhi-class Destroyers, which were commissioned into the Navy more than a decade ago, a defence spokesperson said.
Designed by the Navy’s in-house organisation, Directorate of Naval Design, and constructed by Mazagon Dock Ship builders Ltd in Mumbai, the ship is christened after the vibrant port city of Kochi.
Although conceived as follow-on of the earlier Delhi class, this ship is vastly superior and has major advancements in weapons and sensors. The ship incorporates new design concepts for improved survivability, stealth, sea-keeping and manoeuvrability.
The massive warship is propelled by four gas turbines and designed to achieve speeds in excess of 30 knots. INS Kochi has a complement of about 40 officers and 350 sailors. The accommodation and living spaces have been designed with special emphasis on ergonomics and habitability.
The Navy, on its part, has plans to become a 200-warship force with around 600 aircraft and helicopters by 2027 to ensure it can effectively guard the country’s expanding geo-strategic interests in the backdrop of the IOR emerging as “the world’s centre of gravity”.
