Article Posted on : - Oct 14, 2010

Indian Navy’s latest Fast Attack Craft (FAC) INS Kalpeni. A file photo.

KOCHI (PTI): The indigenously built INS Kalpeni, the latest fast attack craft, was commissioned into the Indian Navy on Thursday as part of strengthening the coastal surveillance capabilities of the Southern Naval Command.

The vessel was commissioned into the Navy by Kerala High Court Chief Justice J Chelameswar.

The ship, propelled by three powerful water jets, can reach speed in excess of 35 Knots.

INS Kalpeni will operate under Flag Officer Commanding- in-Chief of the Southern Naval Command and would be based at Kochi, a Naval press release said here.

The ship, which is commanded by Lieutenant-Commander Subhal Nathan, has a crew of three officers and 38 sailors.

"INS Kalpeni, an improved version of Bangaram Class Fast Attack Craft, is conceived, designed and built indigenously.

The commissioning of the ship is another milestone in the continuing saga of indigenisation in the field of warship design and construction," it said.

INS Kalpeni is the seventh of the batch of 10 ships being built at Garden Reach Shipyard in Kolkata.