Context
Recently, the Indian Navy formally commissioned INS Anjadip, the fourth indigenously built Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Crafts (ASW-SWC), at the Chennai Port. This vessel is designed specifically to detect and neutralize underwater threats in the littoral (shallow) waters of the Indian Ocean Region, marking a major milestone in India’s quest for Aatmanirbharta (self-reliance) in defense manufacturing.
Classification of Naval Ships in India
The Indian Navy operates a diverse fleet designed for “Blue Water” (deep sea) and “Brown Water” (coastal) operations.
1. Aircraft Carriers (The Capital Ships)
These are seagoing airbases that allow a nation to project power far beyond its shores.
- Role: Command and control of the fleet, providing air cover, and conducting long-range strikes.
- Examples:
- INS Vikramaditya: A modified Kiev-class carrier of Russian origin.
- INS Vikrant: India’s first indigenous aircraft carrier (IAC-1).
2. Destroyers (The Frontline Escorts)
Large, fast, and heavily armed with missiles to protect the fleet from surface and air attacks.
- Role: Escorting larger vessels (like carriers), offensive anti-surface warfare, and area air defense.
- Examples:
- Visakhapatnam Class (Project 15B): Most advanced stealth destroyers (e.g., INS Visakhapatnam, INS Mormugao).
- Kolkata Class (Project 15A): Features advanced AESA radars and BrahMos missiles (e.g., INS Chennai).
- Rajput Class: Older Soviet-era destroyers primarily used for escort duties.
3. Frigates (Multi-Role Workhorses)
Slightly smaller than destroyers, they are optimized for versatility in anti-submarine and air-defense roles.
- Role: General-purpose combat, protecting merchant convoys, and specialized anti-submarine warfare.
- Examples:
- Nilgiri Class (Project 17A): Next-gen stealth frigates (e.g., INS Himgiri, INS Udaygiri).
- Shivalik Class (Project 17): India’s first stealth frigates (e.g., INS Satpura).
- Talwar Class: Multi-role stealth frigates used for long-range patrols.
4. Corvettes (Coastal Guardians)
Small, maneuverable warships for coastal defense. INS Anjadip is a specialized variant of this class.
- Role: Coastal surveillance, shallow-water anti-submarine warfare, and search and rescue (SAR).
- Examples:
- Kamorta Class: Specialized ASW stealth corvettes (e.g., INS Kiltan).
- Arnala Class (ASW-SWC): The new “Shallow Water” specialists, including INS Arnala and INS Anjadip.
- Kora & Khukri Classes: Primarily focused on surface-to-surface missile warfare.
5. Submarines (The Silent Killers)
- Nuclear-Powered (SSBN/SSN):
- Role: Strategic deterrence (second-strike capability) and long-endurance underwater combat.
- Examples: INS Arihant, INS Arighaat.
- Conventional (SSK):
- Role: Infiltrating enemy waters and destroying surface ships and submarines.
- Examples: Kalvari Class (Scorpene design), Sindhughosh Class (Kilo-class).
6. Amphibious Warfare & Support Ships
- Role: Transporting troops/tanks for beach landings and providing fuel/supplies to the fleet.
- Examples: INS Jalashwa (Amphibious Transport Dock), INS Deepak (Fleet Tanker), and INS Nistar (Diving Support Vessel).
INS Anjadip: The “Dolphin Hunter”
Technical & Strategic Details
- Role: Known as the “Dolphin Hunter,” it is optimized for the detection and neutralization of enemy submarines in shallow, coastal waters where larger ships struggle to operate.
- Propulsion: Utilizes a high-speed Water-Jet Propulsion system, enabling a top speed of 25 knots.
- Sensors: Equipped with the indigenous Sonar Abhay and sophisticated combat management systems.
- Construction: Built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE) in collaboration with L&T Shipyard, utilizing high-grade steel from SAIL.
Q. Consider the following pairs regarding Indian Naval vessels and their primary roles:
1. INS Arighaat Nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine for strategic deterrence
2. INS Anjadip Stealth destroyer designed for long-range deep-sea surface strikes
3. INS Nistar Diving support vessel for submarine rescue and deep-sea operations
4. INS Vikramaditya Indigenous aircraft carrier commissioned under Project 17A
How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) Only three
(d) All four
Solution: (b) Only two
• PAIR 1 IS CORRECT: INS Arighaat is an Arihant-class nuclear ballistic missile submarine (SSBN).
• PAIR 2 IS INCORRECT: INS Anjadip is an ASW-SWC (Shallow Water Craft) designed for coastal submarine hunting, not a deep-sea destroyer.
• PAIR 3 IS CORRECT: INS Nistar is a specialized diving support vessel (DSV) used for rescue and underwater work.
• PAIR 4 IS INCORRECT: INS Vikramaditya is a modified Kiev-class carrier of Russian origin; the indigenous carrier is INS Vikrant.
