Article Posted on : - Mar 16, 2011

INS Shivalik, the first of the 3-ship Project-17 frigates during sea trials. A file photo.

VISAKHAPATNAM, ANDHRA PRADESH (BNS): INS Shivalik, India's first indigenous stealth frigate, and the latest induction into the Indian Navy, arrived at Visakhapatnam on Tuesday after being commissioned at Mazagon Docks Limited, Mumbai by the Union Defence Minister A K Antony in April last year.

INS Shivalik, which will now form part of the Eastern fleet under the Eastern Naval Command, was accorded a warm reception by senior officers of the command and families of the crew on its arrival at Visakhapatnam.

The 143-metre-long warship, with 6,000-tonne displacement, has a versatile control system and external control system with signature management and radar cross section reduction features.

The ship also boasts of a Total Atmospheric Control System providing total defence against nuclear, biological and chemical attack.

The ship is powered by Combined Diesel or Gas Turbine (CODOG) propulsion system consisting of one each of US-origin LM-2500 gas turbine engine and SEMT Pielstick diesel engine on each shaft driving a large diameter controllable pitch propeller.

The indigenously built multi-role frigate is the first of the 3-ship Project-17 frigates constructed at the Mumbai-based Mazagon Dock Limited (MDL) and conceptualised by the Directorate General of Naval Design.