Parrikar commissions India's largest warship INS Kochi in Mumbai

Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on Wednesday commissioned Indian Naval Ship (INS) Kochi, the largest India-made warship, at the naval dockyard here.

INS Kochi is the Indian Navy's second warship with multi-function surveillance and threat alert radar.

With a displacement of 7,500 tonnes, a length of 164 metres and 17 metres at the beam, the stealth guided missile destroyer is propelled by four gas turbines and can achieve speeds in excess of 30 knots.

Speaking at the gathering, Parrikar said the navy has set a target of 70 percent indigenisation in the next five years.

"There has been 90 percent indigenisation in the float capacity, which means the process of designing the vessel, its control and radar systems have been indigenously made. But as for fire power, which consists of missile systems and torpedoes, here just behind this gun, we have mixed success," he said.

The warship was designed by Indian Navy's Directorate of Naval Design and was constructed by Mumbai's Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders. Apart from the state-of-the-art weapons and sensors, the warship also boasts a significant indigenous component.

"It is equipped with state-of-the-art weapons and sensors, some of which have been developed by the DRDO (Defence Research and Development Organisation) and manufactured in the country by our public and private sector industries," said Chief of Naval staff, Admiral R.K. Dhowan.

INS Kochi's anti-submarine arsenal consists of Indigenous Rocket Launchers (IRL), Indigenous Twin-tube Torpedo Launchers (ITTL) and bow-mounted new generation HUMSA Sonar Dome. It is equipped to operate two Sea King or Chetak helicopters.

The ship has a complement of about 40 officers and 350 sailors. The accommodation and living spaces have been designed with special emphasis on ergonomics and habitability.

It includes a vertical launch missile system for long distance engagement of shore and sea-based targets.