Anti-submarine ship to be launched in Kolkata

The last of four anti-submarine warfare (ASW) ships being made by the Indian Navy will be launched in Kolkata on May 19, navy officials said on Sunday.

Kavaratti, which is 90 percent indigenous, is the last of four ASW class stealth corvettes being built for the Indian Navy under Project 28.

The other three ships of the same class are INS Kamrota, Kadmattt and Kiltan.

Of the three, Kamrota was delivered to the navy in 2014, and has been commissioned.

Kadmatt and Kitan are expected to be delivered between 2015 and 2017.

The 3,300-tonne Kavaratti can reach a speed of over 25 knots. An X-shaped hull, full beam superstructure, inclined ship sides and an Infra Red Signature Suppression (IRSS) system increase the stealth feature of the ship.

Navy officials said the weapons systems on the ship were largely indigenous.

The ship is also equipped to fight in nuclear, biological and chemical warfare conditions.

Designed by Naval Design and built by Garden Reach Ship Builders and Engineers Kolkata, the contract for construction of four ships was signed in June 2012 at an estimate of around Rs.7,800 crore.