Mumbai: Prime Minister Narendra Modi Saturday commissioned India’s largest indigenously built warship “INS Kolkata” into the Indian Navy, describing it as “a symbol of our self-reliance in the field of defence”.
INS Kolkata, entirely built in India, is a symbol of our self-reliance in the field of defence. It is a worthy example of the country’s technical abilities and will send a strong message around the world,” Modi said at the commissioning ceremony held at the naval base here.
While remembering Chhatrapati Shivaji at the event, Modi said, “Chhatrapati Shivaji understood the importance of securing the seas for increasing trade. Defence Minister Arun Jaitley and Admiral RK Dhowan also congratulated the Navy.
The 6,800 tonne warship, which is over three years behind schedule, is a technology demonstrator and will showcase a giant leap in shipbuilding technology in the country, they said. INS Kolkata will be a part of the Kolkata Class destroyers of the Indian Navy which will include follow-on ships by the name of INS Kochi and INS Chennai respectively.
The keel of the warship was laid down in September 2003 and the ship was launched in 2006.
Its original commissioning was planned in 2010 but due to several project delays, it will now happen in 2014. The ship had also suffered a mishap during the trial phase when a Navy officer lost his life during an incident in the fire-fighting equipment of the vessel.
India is also building an over 40,000 tonne Indigenous Aircraft Carrier christened INS Vikrant but it will take another three-four years before it gets inducted into the Navy.
Bureau Report
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