INS Satpura, the second indigenous stealth frigate of Project 17 class of the Indian Navy, was commissioned by Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Nirmal Verma on Saturday. INS Shivalik, the first of the class, has already been commissioned in April last year while the third ship INS Sahyadri is in final stages of construction at Mazgaon Docks Limited.
Speaking on the occasion Admiral Verma said, “The commissioning of INS Satpura will strengthen the fighting fleet of the Indian Navy. Its improved survivability, maneuvering and stealth ability will act significantly towards navy’s status as blue water navy.”
Earlier, Defence Minister A K Antony was scheduled to commission the ship but he could not attend the function as a result of which the ship was commissioned at the hands of Admiral Verma.
With about 60 per cent indigenization by cost, the construction of the ship started in August 2002. Armed with long range anti-ship missile, anti-aircraft missile as well as missile defence system, INS Satpura has the capacity to engage into a three dimensional warfare on surface, air as well as sub surface levels.
The commissioning of INS Satpura is significant on the backdrop of the recent operations of navy against Somalian pirates and the growing aspirations of the force to be the blue water navy.
Speaking on the backdrop of MT Pavit and MV Nafis 1, the naval chief said there has been an increased coordination between various agencies involved in coastal surveillance.
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