Made in Mumbai warship INS Kochi joins Indian Naval Fleet
Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on September 30, 2015 commissioned India’s newest stateof-the art warship, a Kolkata class destroyer – INS Kochi at a ceremony held at Naval Dockyard,
Mumbai.
INS Kochi is the second ship of the Kolkata-class
(Project 15A) Guided Missile Destroyers. The
contract for three ships of Kolkata class was signed
as follow-on of the legendary Delhi Class
Destroyers, which were commissioned into the
Indian Navy more than a decade ago.
Designed by the Indian Navy's in-house
organization, Directorate of Naval Design, and
constructed by Mazagon Dock Ltd, Mumbai the
ship is christened after the vibrant port city of
Kochi. Although conceived as follow-on of the
earlier Delhi class, this ship is vastly superior and
has major advancements in weapons and
sensors. The ship incorporates new design
concepts for improved survivability, stealth,
sea-keeping, and manoeuvrability.
With a displacement of 7500 tons, the
majestic ship spanning 164 meters in length
and 17 meters at the beam, is propelled by
four gas turbines and designed to achieve
speeds in excess of 30 knots. The ship has a
complement of about 40 Officers and 350
Sailors. The accommodation and living
spaces have been designed with special emphasis on ergonomics and habitability. Enhanced
stealth features have been achieved through shaping of hull and use of radar-transparent deck
fittings. A bow mounted Sonar Dome, the second of its kind in an indigenous naval platform, has
been introduced to enhance sonar acoustic performance.
Kochi is packed with an array of state-of-the-art weapons and sensors, with a significant
indigenous component. The ship thus has many lethal weapons to her credit which include the
successful fitment of vertically launched missile system for long distance engagement of shore
and sea based targets. The ship is one of the few warships of the world and the second in the
Indian Navy to have Multi-Function Surveillance and Threat Alert Radar to provide target data to
Long Range Surface to Air Missile system. The MF STAR and LR SAM systems are jointly
developed by DRDO (Defence Research and Development Organisation) and Israel Aerospace
Industries Ltd. To protect against incoming air borne and surface threats, at medium and close in
range, the ship has 76 mm and 30 mm gun mounts.
The ship can truly be classified as a ‘Network of Networks’ as it is equipped with Ship Data
Network (SDN), Combat Management System (CMS), Automatic Power Management System
(APMS) and Auxiliary Control System (ACS). The SDN is the information highway on which data
from all the sensors and weapons ride. The CMS performs threat evaluation and resource
allocation based on the tactical picture compiled and ammunition available onboard. While
propulsion and power management is done using the APMS, remote control and monitoring of
machinery is achieved through the ACS.
The ship is equipped to store and operate two helicopters (Seaking 42B or Chetak). In
consonance with the national vision of achieving Maritime Security through Self-Reliance, the
ships have significantly higher level of indigenization as compared to the Delhi class. Some of the
major equipment/systems developed indigenously and fitted onboard include; Ship’s Data
Network (M/s BEL, Bangalore), Combat Management System (M/s BEL, Ghaziabad), Bow Mounted
Sonar (M/s BEL, Bangalore), Electronic Warfare Suite (M/s BEL, Hyderabad), Close-in weapon
System (Gun Shell Factory and M/s BEL, Chennai), Indigenous Rocket Launcher (M/s L&T),
Indigenous Torpedo Tube Launcher for ASW (M/s L&T) Boat Davits (M/s L&T) and Automated
Power Management System (M/s L&T).
NS Kochi derives her name from the vibrant port city of Kochi. This is a tribute to the city’s
distinct maritime character and culture, and symbolizes the special bond between the Indian
Navy and the city of Kochi. The ship’s crest depicts a sword and a shield together with a Snake
Boat riding on the blue and white ocean waves, which symbolize the Malabar region’s rich
maritime heritage and martial traditions. The crew of the ship abides by the Sanskrit motto “Jahi
Shatrun Mahabaho” which means “Oh mighty armed one… conquer the enemy”.
PIB Mumbai Feature
(With inputs from DG: Defence (PR), Mumbai | New Delhi)