INS Sumitra

INS Sumitra is a new-generation naval offshore patrol vessel which has joined the Eastern Naval Command in Chennai. The need for strict and effective naval surveillance gained voice when it was found that the terrorists who had caused 2008 attack at Mumbai came by a sea-route and were heavily loaded with supplies and weapons. The incident which ripped the heart of every Indian was a wake-up call for the government who was taking the maritime security on a casual and relaxed tone. The attack also gave way to many new Police forces and ranks. It changed the way India saw and tackled terror forever.

The main purpose if maritime surveillance, surface warfare operations in case of any transgression and security. The ship is equipped with state of the art weaponry  as guns, rapid-fire Russian AK630 guns, Kavach chaff launchers and the Sanket electronic warfare system and electronic sensors. The ship which is fourth in its class to be built on an in-house design of the shipyard. It will be also used for monitoring sea lanes of communication and defence of offshore oil installations and other critical offshore national assets.

The ship has absolutely no time or cost overruns and is another feather in the cap of Goa Shipyard Limited. GSL has made 4 NOPVs including INS Saryu, INS  Sunayna and INS Sumedha.