The commisioning was done by Admiral RK Dhowan, chief of the Naval Staff.
Vice Admiral Satish Soni, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief Eastern Naval Command, Rear Admiral Shekhar Mittal (Retd), Chairman and Managing Director, Goa Shipyard Ltd (GSL) and various other dignitaries were also present during the commissioning ceremony.
Addressing the gathering, Dhowan said, “The Indian Navy is a multi-dimensional force capable of meeting any challenge in the maritime domain in the Indian Ocean Region.
The responsibilities of protecting our vast maritime interests fall squarely on the shoulders of men in white uniform as it is the responsibility of the Navy to ensure that India’s maritime interests - which have a vital relationship with the nation’s economic growth - are allowed to develop unhindered both in peace and war”.
“The blue print for the future Indian Navy is firmly anchored on self-reliance and indigenisation and currently we have 41 ships and submarines under construction in various public and private shipyards within the country,” he stated.
Dhowan said, “It is a matter of great pride that over the decades, we have transformed from a ‘Buyer’s Navy’ to a ‘Builders Navy’.”
INS Sumitra will have a major role to play in patrolling India’s eastern seaboard and will be an important component under the NOIC (Tamil Nadu & Puducherry) and the Eastern Naval Command, which has the responsibility of countering the maritime challenges in the Bay of Bengal and the waters of the adjoining Eastern Indian Ocean Region.
The primary role of the ship is to undertake surveillance of the country’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) besides other operational tasks such as anti-piracy patrols, fleet support operations, maritime security of off-shore assets and escort operations of high value naval platforms.
INS Sumitra, manned by nine officers and 105 sailors will be commanded by Commander Milind Mohan Mokashi, a Communication Specialist.
Designed and built by Goa Shipyard Limited, INS Sumitra aptly demonstrates the immense potential of the country’s indigenous design and ship building capability.
Measuring about 105 meters in length, 13 meters in breadth and displacing 2200 tons, the ship can achieve speed of 25 knots with an endurance of 6000 nautical miles.
The ship’s weapon and sensor outfit include a 76.2 mm gun (Super Rapid Gun Mount), Close in Weapon Systems, latest navigational and early warning radars, chaff launchers and an integrated Electronic Support Measures (ESM) system to undertake all assigned missions.
She is also equipped with two Rigid Inflatable Fast Motor Boats.
In addition, the ship is also capable of carrying a helicopter on-board.
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