Corvettes
Source: indianexpress
The DEFENCE Acquisition Council (DAC) has granted Acceptance of necessity (AoN) for several capital acquisition projects.
The projects include next-generation corvettes for the Navy at an approximate cost of Rs 36,000 crore
What is a Corvette?
A Corvette is the smallest naval ship. These are highly agile ships and categorised as missile boats, anti-submarine ships and categorised as:
- Missile boats
- Anti-submarine ships
- Coastal patrol craft
- Fast attack naval vessels
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Corvettes date back to the 18th and the 19th centuries when they were extensively used in warfare, and then powered by sails and masts.
During World War II Corvettes are used to describe vessels with anti-submarine roles
Modern corvettes can go up to 2,000 tonnes in displacement, which keeps them agile
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Indian Navy's Corvette
- The Indian Navy at present has the Kamotra class Corvettes, also known as Project 28
- These have an anti-submarine role and are built at Garden Reach shipbuilders and engineers in Kolkata
| The Four Kamorta Class corvettes with the navy are INS Kamorta, INS Kiltan, and INS Kavaratti. |
Next Generation Corvettes
The Next-generation corvettes are created for various roles like
- Surveillance
- Escort operations
- Deterrence
- Surface action group operations
- Search, attack and coastal defence
These roles will be an addition to the anti-submarine roles being already performed by the existing corvettes in the Navy
As per the AoN accorded by the DAC, these next-generation corvettes will be constructed based on the new in-house design of the Indian Navy using the latest technology of shipbuilding and would contribute to furthering the governments initiative of Security and growth for all in the region (SAGAR)
The Kamorta class corvettes already in service also have high indigenous content.
The equipment includes Shikari-Sensor and processing System, and bomber and Electronic
The vessels also have the 'Sanket' electronic warfare systems and 'Kavach' decoy launchers
Warfare Suits named 'Ajanta' all manufactured by BEL
