Missile destroyer INS Chennai inducted into Indian Navy

The Indian Navy today inducted the indigenously designed and built missile destroyer INS Chennai into its fleet, in a major boost to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Make In India' initiative.,

Built by Mazagaon Dock Shipbuilders Limited in Mumbai, INS Chennai with a length of 164 meters and displacement of over 7,500 tonnes, is among the largest destroyers built in India.

The Rs4,000-crore vessel is armed with supersonic surface to surface 'BrahMos' missiles and 'Barak-8' long range surface to air missiles and possesses formidable prowess of missile technology.

India Naval Ship (INS) Chennai was commissioned in the presence of defence minister Manohar Parrikar. ''This is a historic day for the Indian Navy,'' said Parrikar.

The defence minister also spoke on the unprovoked firing by Pakistan troops on Indian posts, assuring that Indian soldiers are giving retaliating effectively. ''We are not taking initiative to fire upon, unless fired on,'' said Parrikar.

Parrikar hailed Prime Minister Narendra Modi for taking efforts to maintain good relations with neighbours. Parrikar, however, rued the fact that Pakistan does not help in maintaining friendly ties with India's neighbours.

INS Chennai is capable of undertaking a variety of tasks and missions across the full spectrum of maritime warfare.  Armed with supersonic surface to surface Besides the 'BrahMos' missiles and 'Barak-8' long range surface to air missiles, the ship possesses undersea warfare capablities.

The vessel boasts of indigenously developed anti-submarine weapons and sensors, prominently the Hull Mounted Sonar 'HUMSA-NG', heavyweight torpedo tube launchers and rocket launcher capability.

The ship is fitted with 'Kavach' chaff decoy system for defence against enemy missiles, and for defence against enemy torpedoes, it is fitted with 'Mareech' torpedo decoy system, both developed indigenously.

INS Chennai is designed to carry and operate up to two multi-role helicopters. The ship is propelled by a powerful Combined Gas and Gas (COGAG) propulsion plant, consisting of four reversible gas turbines, which enables it to achieve a top speed of over 30 knots (approximately 55 km per hour).