Indigenous anti-submarine corvette Kadmatt delivered to Navy

Kadmatt, the second of the four indigenously-built stealth anti-submarine warfare (ASW) corvettes being built by the Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE), was formally handed over to the Indian Navy here on Thursday.

Designed by the Directorate of Naval Design (DND), Kadmatt is nearly 90 percent indigenously-sourced and is capable of operating in nuclear, biological and chemical war theatres.

Named after an island in the Lakshadweep archipelago, Kadmatt is slated to be commissioned in January at Visakhapatnam, joining the Eastern Fleet.

With advanced stealth features, it has been built with indigenously developed special grade high-tensile (DMR249A) steel produced by the Steel Authority of India.

Its hull encompasses the bulk of sensors and weapon systems which are also indigenously manufactured.

The ship's propulsion system consists of two diesel engines to achieve a maximum speed of 25 knots. With a displacement of 3,500 tonnes, it has an endurance of about 3,500 nautical miles.

It can accommodate 17 officers and 106 sailors and will also carry a helicopter onboard.

The lead ship of the series INS Kamorta was inducted into the Navy on August 23, 2014.

Kadmatt's armament includes heavy weight torpedoes, ASW rockets, medium range gun and close-in-weapon system comprising of two multi-barrel guns. The sensors of the warship include the advanced bow mounted sonar.

Speaking on the occasion, GRSE chairman and managing director, Rear Admiral A.K. Verma said the two remaining corvettes - Kiltan and Kavaratti - will be delivered in 2016 and 2017, respectively.