The Indian Navy has received the third Saryu-class naval offshore patrol vessel (NOPV), INS Sumedha from Goa shipyard during a ceremony held in Goa.
Locally designed in-house and built by Goa Shipyard, the 105m-long offshore patrol vessel will be used for conducting ocean surveillance and surface warfare operations in order to prevent infiltration and transgression of maritime sovereignty.
Designed for monitoring sea lines of communication, defence of offshore oil installations and other critical offshore national assets, the vessel can be deployed for escorting high value ships and fleet support operations.
Currently, Goa Shipyard is under contract to deliver a total of four naval offshore petrol vessels to the Indian Navy to reinforce the country’s maritime defence.
Capable of accommodating a crew of eight officers and 108 sailors, the 2,300t Saryu-class ships can cruise at speeds in excess of 25k using two KOEL / Pielstick Diesel engines and have a range of 6,000nm.
Armed with a 76mm super rapid Ottomelara gun, two 30mm close-in weapon system guns and six chaff launchers for self protection, the vessels feature a helicopter landing deck and hangar to enable the operation of an advanced light helicopter (ALH), as well as two rigid inflatable fast motor boats.
Additional features of the vessel include automatic radar plotting aid (ARPA), differential global positioning system (DGPS), electronic chart display and information system (ECDIS) and communications according to global maritime distress and safety system (GMDSS) A3 regulations.
The company successfully delivered the first two vessels of the class, INS Saryu and INS Sunayana, to the Indian Navy on 21 December 2012 and 2 September 2013 respectively.
Image: Indian Navy and Goa Shipyard officials during INS Sumedha (P59) delivery ceremony. Photo: courtesy of Goa Shipyard.
