Navy gets new Fast Attack Craft

The Indian Navy commissioned its newest Fast Attack Craft, the INS (Indian Naval Ship) Kalpeni at the Kochi Naval Base on Thursday with the Chief Justice of the Kerala High Court, Justice Jasti Chelameswar doing the honors.

According to a statement issued by the navy, the Kalpeni will operate under Vice Admiral KN Sushil, the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Naval Command and be based at Kochi. INS Kalpeni is commanded by Lieutenant Commander Subhal Nathan and has a crew of 3 officers and 38 sailors onboard.

Rear Admiral KC Shekar, Chairman and Managing Director of Garden Reach Shipyard said at the commissioning ceremony that the ship was completed in 24 months with nearly 95 % indigenous content.

The Kalpeni is propelled by three water jets that can achieve speeds in excess of 35 knots (over 64 kilometers per hour). It is an improved version of the Bangaram Class Fast Attack Craft and the seventh of a batch of 10 ships being built at Garden Reach Shipyard, Kolkota. The statement said the main armament of the ship is 30mm CRN 91 Gun with an Optronic Pedestal Sight as its Director. The ship has also been fitted with 11 machine guns of various types and shoulder-launched IGLA Surface-to-Air Missiles (SAMs) to neutralize aerial threats.