PM Narendra Modi commissions INS Kolkata - India's largest indigenous warship

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Saturday commissioned Indias largest indigenously built warship INS Kolkata into the Indian Navy describing it as a symbol of our selfreliance in the field of defenceINS Kolkata entirely built in India is a symbol of our selfreliance in the field of defence It is a worthy example of the countrys technical abilities and will send a strong message around the world Modi said at the commissioning ceremony held at the naval base hereNot only are we dedicating the warship but we are also introducing to the whole world Indias technical prowess and defence capabilities Modi asserted at the ceremony attended by Defence Minister Arun Jaitley Maharashtra Governor K Sankaranarayanan Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan and Chief of Naval Staff Admiral R K DhowanPart of the Kolkata Class destroyers of the Indian Navy INS Kolkata has been designed by the naval Design Bureau and constructed by Mazagon Docks Ltd MDL MumbaiThe first in the series which will include INS Kochi and INS Chennai the 6800tonne INS Kolkata with an operating range of 15000 kms was delivered to the navy last month and commissioned SaturdayWith this no country would dare challenge India and the ship will boost the Indian Navys capabilities the prime minister said calling it a historic day for India and its peopleModi said that his government has taken major steps to boost indigenous defence technology and it has been the countrys dream to achieve selfreliance in all areasNow India has the potential to export defence technology to the rest of the world which is a matter of pride for the country he added lauding the contribution of Indian designers engineers technicians and strategists who worked to make the countrys largest ever warship and strengthen the countrys maritime defence capabilitiesHowever the prime minister made it clear that India doesnt want a war But we have to be alert prepared INS Kolkata will ensure safety of the people of this countryModi recalled the contribution of Maharashtras warrior king Chhatrapati Shivaji and said he recognized the importance of securing the seas for increasing trade and securityFitted with the most advanced weapons systems including antisubmarine technology at 163 m X 174 m width INS Kolkata is the largest stealth destroyer constructed by the MDLIt is an advanced version but significantly more versatile of the Delhi Class ships INS Delhi INS Mysore and INS Mumbai which will add considerable punch to Indias maritime warfare capabilities with the first ever allround capability against enemy submarines surface warships antiship missiles and fighter aircraftMost of the weapons and sensors fitted on board are of indigenous makeThese include the stateoftheart BrahMos surfacetosurface missiles rocket launchers torpedo tube launchers sonar Humsa and AK630 guns giving it the capability to counter enemy threats at sea and also air attacksBuilt under the ambitious Project 15Alpha these significant features enable it to operate without a supporting fleet of ships making it one of the most formidable warships of this class and category anywhere in the worldPresently the Indian Navy has around 140 ships with another 44 under construction at different shipyards in the countryThe ship has been named after The City of Joy Kolkata the capital of West Bengal and the biggest metropolis in east IndiaThe warships crest befittingly depicts the landmark Howrah Bridge in the background and a leaping Bengal Tiger in the foreground