Article Posted on : - Sep 30, 2015

MUMBAI (PTI): Indian Navy's three immediate support vessels have been commissioned in Mumbai on Tuesday.

They are the last three of 23 Immediate Support Vessels and were commissioned into Indian Navy as T-48, T-49 and T-50.

These vessels join the 82nd ISV Squadron, taking their total to 17 ISVs and will be based in Mumbai, an official release said.

In keeping with the Prime Minister's call to 'Make in India', 14 of the ISVs were built indigenously by M/s SHM Shipcare, Thane while four were built by M/s ADSB and five by M/s Rodman Polyships.

Vice Adm SPS Cheema, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief Western Naval Command, was the Chief Guest at the commissioning ceremony.

He stressed on the importance of the Offshore Development Area (ODA), Exclusive Economic Zone and role played by vital installations along coastline to the country and its economic growth.

He stated that ODA, which accounts for over 70 per cent of the indigenous hydrocarbon production, plays a vital role in energy security matrix of the country and given the prevailing volatile situation and threat of terrorism its security can never be undermined.

He complimented the crew on commissioning and called upon them to set exacting benchmarks as they breathe 'soul' into these new hulls. He urged them to lay strong foundations of an operational culture onboard, as they proceed to exploit these versatile platforms.

Built to international standards by adopting state of art material and production technologies, these ships are armed with Heavy Machine Guns (HMGs) and propelled by water jet propulsion systems.

ISVs can operate at maximum speed of 40 Knots and economical speed of 20 Knots. They are designed to operate for long duration and have endurance of 500 nautical miles at sea. These ships are also equipped with advanced sensors and navigational aids.