Article Posted on : - Apr 06, 2016

A Kora class missile corvette. Indian Navy photo

KOLKATA (PTI): The Andaman and Nicobar islands has received their first missile Corvette ship "INS Karmuk" which arrived at Port Blair on Tuesday after being re-based from the Eastern Naval Command in Visakhapatnam.

"This is the first time in the history of Andaman & Nicobar islands that a missile corvette is being based. This is a concrete step towards realising the Indian Navy's perspective plans of transforming Port Blair into a strategic maritime naval base," a Defence official said.

INS Karmuk, a guided missile Corvette of the Kora class, would not only significantly enhance the off-shore surveillance and maritime patrolling around the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, but its long-range surface-to-surface missiles would tremendously enhance the defence of A&N islands.

Commissioned in 2004, INS Karmuk is commanded by Cdr Akash Chaturvedi. The ship has a complement of 14 officers and 130 sailors. It is equipped with state-of-the-art navigation, communication and radar systems and boasts of contemporary surface-to-surface missiles, a main gun and secondary armament.

With the ability to carry a helicopter, INS Karmuk has the capability to operate well beyond the traditional maritime boundaries of the Andaman and Nicobar Command.

The ship has undertaken various operations in the past, which include deployments in the South China Sea, maiden bilateral exercise with Japanese Naval forces, deployments with other foreign navies and participation in the recently concluded International Fleet Review.

The state-of-the-art ship would now add teeth to protecting India's strategic interests and assets in the Andaman and Nicobar region.

Further, besides ocean surveillance and surface warfare operations to prevent infiltration and protect maritime sovereignty, the ship will also monitor the busy sea lanes of communication passing through the A&N Islands and other vital assets.