The Indian Navy has always played a crucial role in securing the nation’s interests by safeguarding its maritime borders. To achieve this, the Navy has a fleet of modern and technologically advanced warships equipped with state-of-the-art weapons and systems. One such warship is the INS Sahyadri, a multi-role frigate that has proved its mettle in various operations and exercises.
INS Sahyadri is part of the Shivalik-class of frigates, designed for multi-role operations, including anti-submarine warfare, anti-air warfare, and anti-surface warfare. The frigate is 143 meters long, has a beam of 16.9 meters and can displace 6,200 tons. The vessel’s design includes advanced stealth features, making it difficult to detect by enemy radars, and has land-attack capabilities, allowing it to strike targets on land accurately.
The vessel was constructed at the Mazagon Dock Limited (MDL) in Mumbai, which is one of India’s premier shipyards. The keel for the vessel was laid on September 30, 2003, and the ship was launched on May 27, 2005. It underwent extensive sea trials and was commissioned on July 21, 2012, joining the Eastern Naval Command based in Visakhapatnam.
INS Sahyadri has proven its operational capabilities in various operations and exercises. The vessel has a range of weapons and systems that make it a formidable warship. It is equipped with the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile, which has a range of up to 290 km and can carry a conventional warhead of 300 kg. The frigate also has a 76 mm Oto Melara gun, two AK-630 close-in weapon systems, and four torpedo tubes to counter enemy threats.
The frigate also has a state-of-the-art combat management system, which integrates all onboard sensors and weapons, providing the crew with a comprehensive picture of the battle space. It also has a long-range air surveillance radar, which can detect and track multiple targets simultaneously.
INS Sahyadri recently participated in a two-day maritime partnership exercise with two French warships, FS Dixmude and FS La Fayette, in the Arabian Sea. The exercise aimed to enhance interoperability and cooperation between the two navies. The exercise involved various drills at sea, such as cross deck landings, boarding exercises, and seamanship evolutions.
During the exercise, INS Sahyadri demonstrated its anti-submarine warfare capabilities by detecting and tracking a simulated enemy submarine using its sonar systems. It also participated in surface warfare drills, launching the BrahMos cruise missile and conducting live firing exercises with its guns.