Recently, the Indian Navy formally inducted INS Kavaratti at the Naval Dockyard in the Eastern Naval Command (ENC), Visakhapatnam. An intricate part of India’s naval defense system, it is regarded as a potent Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) stealth corvette, loaded with advanced features and capabilities.
Christened After Lakshadweep’s Capital
INS Kavaratti receives its name from the capital of the Lakshadweep island group. It’s the last of the four indigenous ASW stealth corvettes built under Project 28 or the Kamorta class. Constructed by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) based in Kolkata, it stands out as an epitome of India’s developing naval technology.
Joining the Trio of Kamorta Class Warships
The entry of INS Kavaratti signals a significant achievement for India’s naval defence. The stealth corvette unites with the triad of similar class warships, including INS Kamorta, INS Kadmatt, and INS Kiltan at the ENC. Its induction bolsters the eastern seaboard’s defense capabilities, especially amidst growing concerns about increased Chinese submarine activity in the Indian Ocean Region.
Enhanced Stealth Features
INS Kavaratti boasts of enhanced stealth features, effectively resulting in a reduced Radar Cross Section (RCS). This is achieved through a carefully constructed superstructure complemented with optimally sloped surfaces. Remarkably, INS Kavaratti, along with INS Kiltan, are the first two major Indian warships to feature a superstructure made of carbon fibre composite material.
Indigenous Content and Advanced Capabilities
What sets INS Kavaratti apart is its high indigenous content and advanced warfare capabilities. Equipped with state-of-the-art systems, it can function effectively even in Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical (NBC) warfare conditions. Some of the major indigenously developed equipment and systems on board include the Combat Management System, Torpedo Tube Launchers, and Infra-Red Signature Suppression System.
This high level of indigenisation reflects the objectives of Atmanirbhar Bharat Initiative, emphasizing self-reliance and local manufacturing.
Rebirth of A Significant Warship
The ship is a reincarnation of an earlier ship that bore the same name, INS Kavaratti-P 80. Part of the erstwhile Arnala Class missile corvette, the original INS Kavaratti played a critical role in the liberation of Bangladesh back in 1971. The new INS Kavaratti carries forward the legacy, further strengthening India’s naval power.