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INS Kalpeni, the latest 'Fast Attack Craft' of the Indian Navy was commissioned into the Indian Navy at the Naval Base in Kochi on Thursday. Justice Jasti Chelameswar, Chief Justice, Kerala High Court, commissioned the Fast Attack Craft. The Ship propelled by three powerful 'Water Jets' can achieve speed in excess of 35 knots. . The ship would bolster the capabilities of Southern Naval Command in coastal surveillance and search and destruction of fast moving targets. INS Kalpeni that would operate under the Flag Officer Commanding in Chief Southern Naval Command and based at Kochi is commanded by Lieutenant Commander Subhal Nathan and has a crew of three officers and 38 sailors onboard. The formal and solemn ceremony commenced with the Inspection of a Guard of Honour by Chief Justice Jasti Chelameswar. The Commanding Officer of INS Kalpeni thereafter introduced the Crew of the Ship to the Chief Guest. The Commissioning Warrant signed by the Chief of Naval Staff was read out by the Commanding Officer then. The formal ceremony was completed when the Naval Ensign and the national flag was hoisted onboard the Ship for the first time along with the traditional breaking of the Commissioning Pennant. This ceremony was carried out with the Parading of the Colour Guard and to the accompaniment of the national anthem following which Chief Justice Chelameswar unveiled the Ships Plaque. Justice Chelameswar, while conveying his good wishes to the crew of INS Kalpeni, reminded the audience that even peace loving nations have to negotiate the terms of peace from a position of strength. Rear Admiral KC Shekar, Chairman and Managing Director Garden Reach Shipyard, who later addressed the gathering, informed that the ship with nearly 95 percent indigenous content was completed in 24 months. He also expressed his pride in Garden Reach Shipyard's association with the Indian Navy and reaffirmed their resolve to continue this association in defence of national interests. Vice Admiral KN Sushil, Flag officer Commanding in Chief, Southern Naval Command, who was also present on the occasion, complemented the Shipbuilder in the construction of such a fine ship. Admiral Sushil dwelt upon the clear and present challenges to the security environment in the area and expressed optimism that the ship would rise up to the challenges. The commission of INS Kalpeni, which is an improved version of the Bangaram Class Fast Attack Craft, is another milestone in the continuing saga of indigenisation in the field of warship design and construction. INS Kalpeni is the seventh of a batch of ten ships being built at Kolkata's Garden Reach Shipyard. The main armament of the ship is 30mm CRN 91 Gun with an Optronic Pedestal Sight as its Director. In addition, the ship has been fitted with eleven machine guns of various types and shoulder launched IGLA Surface to Air Missiles to neutralise the aerial threats.

INS Kalpeni commissioned at Kochi Naval Base