Mumbai, Aug 16/Nationalturk – In a big stride in manufacturing of defence equipment, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday commissioned India’s biggest indigenously-built naval destroyer (INS Kolkata).
Describing INS Kolkata as proof of India’s intellectual capabilities, Indian PM said the naval destroyer has been entirely built in India and is a symbol of our self-reliance.
“India’s aim is to achieve such prowess in its defence capabilities so that nobody dares to cast an evil glance at India,” Modi said while addressing naval officers and sailors at the Naval Dockyard, Mumbai after commissioning the ship.
‘INS Kolkata biggest indigenous defence production’
He described INS Kolkata as the biggest indigenous defence production. “As we dedicate this ship to the nation, we display to the world, our scientific and technical intelligence and our manufacturing capabilities”.
“Today, maritime security was a vital aspect of global trade, and India was playing its part in securing global trade. INS Kolkata is also a great communication platform, and will be useful in securing India’s trade interests at sea,” he said adding world’s best arms and equipment manufacturers would be invited to set up manufacturing facilities in India, and a day would come when India would be completely self-reliant in defence production.
‘INS Kolkata equipped to play a varied role’
With an operating range of 15,000 km, INS Kolkata is equipped to play a varied role. It has an in-built anti-submarine capability and can take on an anti-ship missile and fighter aircraft. It will also be the first Indian ship to be armed with the land attack, anti-ship BrahMos missile, also manufactured in India with Russian collaboration.
These capabilities give INS Kolkata an ability to operate without supporting fleet of ships. With an integral hanger and a landing deck for a helicopter, the guided missile destroyer will add teeth to the 140-ship strong Indian Navy, currently undergoing a massive expansion.
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Asia News/ NationalTurk India News
