New Delhi: The arrival of INS Shivalik, India’s first stealth frigate, in Japan for the eighth edition of the bilateral maritime exercise – ‘JIMEX 24’ – is a significant event. This exercise, which serves as a crucial platform for the Indian Navy and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) to exchange and adopt each other’s best practices, fosters a sense of optimism for a safer future and more robust maritime security in the Indo-Pacific. The joint exercise symbolises the shared commitment and collaborative spirit, encompassing harbour and sea phases. This underscores the significance of the JIMEX 24 maritime exercise in the context of maritime security.
About INS Shivalik
INS Shivalik, the lead ship for her class of stealth multi-role frigates, is a testament to India’s technological prowess. Built for the Indian Navy, it stands as India’s first stealth warship. Construction commenced in 2001 and was completed in 2009. After undergoing rigorous sea trials, it was commissioned on April 29, 2010. Shivalik’s features, including improved stealth and land-attacking capabilities, set it apart from the Talwar-class frigates, piquing our curiosity about its advanced specifications.
It was also the first to use the combined diesel or gas (CODOG) propulsion system, a significant technological advancement in naval engineering. This system allows the ship to operate efficiently at different speeds, providing a balance between speed and fuel consumption.
INS Shivalik: Design and description
The Shivalik-class frigates were conceived as part of the Indian Navy’s Project 71, which set the requirements for a class of stealthy frigates to be designed and built in India.
The Directorate of Naval Design (DND) played a crucial role in the design of the Shivalik class. Their design specifications called for ‘5000 tonne stealth frigates (Project 17) incorporating advanced signature suppression and signature management features.’ The Indian Navy formally ordered the first three units in early 1999, marking a significant milestone in the collaborative effort between the DND and the Indian Navy.
INS Shivalik: General characteristics and propulsion
INS Shivalik has
A length of 468 ft overall
A beam of 55 ft
A draft of 15 ft
The ship displaces about 4,900 tonnes (5,800 long and 5,400 short tonnes) at standard load and 6,200 tonnes (6,100 long and 6,800 short tonnes) at full load.
The ship can complement about 257, including 37 officers.
Maximum Speed of the INS is 59 km/h (32 knots).
The weapon systems in INS Shivalik are a mix of Russian, Indian, and Western weapon systems like:
76 mm (3 in) Otobreda naval gun
Klub and BrahMos supersonic anti-ship missiles
Shtil-1 anti-aircraft missiles
RBU-6000 anti-submarine rocket launchers
DTA-53-956 torpedo launchers
32-cell VLS launched Barak SAM and AK-630 act as Close-in weapon systems (CIWS)
INS Shivalik has two HAL Dhruv or Sea King Mk and 42B helicopters
INS Shivalik: Electronics and Sensors
The warship is equipped with a wide range of electronics and sensors like:
MR-760 Fregat M2EM 3-D radar
MR-90 Orekh radars
Elta EL/M-2238 STAR
Elta EL/M-2221 STGR
BEL APARNA
The warship also has HUMSA (hull-mounted sonar array), ATAS/Thales Sintra towed array systems and the BEL Ajanta Electronic Warfare suite.
INS Shivalik has also participated in the 65th-anniversary celebrations of the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) in Qingdao. India, Indonesia, and China have conducted three high-level exercises, including an anti-hijack exercise. Not just this, INS Shivalik was once deployed to the South China Sea and Pacific Ocean region.
India’s first stealth frigate, INS Shivalik, has reached Japan for the eighth edition of JIMEX 24, a maritime exercise between India and Japan. Let’s explore INS Shivalik’s specifications. knowledge Knowledge News, Photos and Videos on General Knowledge
