Indian Navy commissions hi-tech Fast Attack Craft
11 Sep 2009
Kolkata: Assigned overall responsibility for maritime security, including coastal and offshore defence after the Mumbai attacks, the Indian Navy has now inducted two Water Jet propelled Fast Attack Craft (WJ-FACs) into operational service in order to better deal with asymmetric threats.
The ability of these new WJ-FACs to operate in shallow waters and at high speeds, their day-night surveillance capability as well as enhanced fire power is expected to provide the needed capability for dealing with sea-based threats such as that experienced during the 26/11 Mumbai attacks.
 |
| The Governor of West Bengal, Shri Gopal Krishna Gandhi receiving a model of the ship from Vice Admiral Anup Singh of Indian Navy which he commissioned at Kolkata |
Two of these craft, the INS Cora Divh and INS Cheriyam, were commissioned by West Bengal Governor Gopalkrishna Gandhi at a colourful ceremony. The ships are number three and four of a new series of ten WJ-FACs designed and built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Ltd (GRSE).
The first two boats of the class, INS Car Nicobar and INS Chetlat, were commissioned in February of this year.
This new class of boats are intended to replace the earlier Seaward Defence Boats (SDBs).
