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INS Delhi, Shakti, and Kiltan

8th May, 2024 Security

INS Delhi, Shakti, and Kiltan

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Context:

  • Indian Naval Ships Delhi, Shakti, and Kiltan arrived at Singapore on 06 May 24

Details:

  • The visit is part of the Operational Deployment of the Indian Navy's Eastern Fleet to the South China Sea.
  • This visit will further strengthen the longstanding friendship and cooperation between the two maritime nations through a series of engagements and activities.
  • During the ships' stay in harbor, interactions with the High Commission of India, professional interactions with the Republic of Singapore Navy as well as academia and community outreach amongst other activities, will be done, reflecting the shared values of both navies.

INS Delhi (Destroyer)

It was built at the Mazagon Dock Limited in Mumbai and commissioned on 15 November 1997.

This class is among the largest warships to be designed and built in India.

It is a guided-missile destroyer of the Indian Navy.

It is one of the Delhi-class destroyers, which are the largest in the Indian Navy.

The ship is equipped with advanced weaponry and sensors for multi-role operations, including anti-aircraft, anti-submarine, and anti-surface warfare capabilities.

Delhi-class destroyers are designed to operate as part of carrier battle groups or independently for various naval missions.

INS Shakti (Replenishment Tanker)

INS Shakti is a Deepak-class,  fleet tanker and replenishment ship of the Indian Navy.

She was built by Fincantieri, an Italian shipbuilding company based in Trieste. She is the second and final ship of her class.

Shakti, along with her predecessor Deepak, is one of the largest ships of the Indian Navy.

It serves as a vital logistics support vessel, capable of replenishing other naval ships at sea with fuel, ammunition, and provisions.

The ship plays a crucial role in extending the operational range and endurance of the Indian Navy's fleet by providing underway replenishment capabilities.

INS Shakti enhances the Navy's ability to sustain prolonged maritime operations by ensuring continuous logistical support to deployed ships.

INS Kiltan (Corvette)

INS Kiltan is a Kamorta-class anti-submarine warfare corvette of the Indian Navy.

It is designed for detecting, tracking, and neutralizing enemy submarines, as well as performing anti-surface and anti-aircraft operations.

The corvette is equipped with advanced sensors, weapons systems, and stealth features to enhance its survivability and effectiveness in modern naval warfare scenarios.

INS Kiltan represents India's indigenous shipbuilding capabilities, being constructed at Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE) in Kolkata, India.

Conclusion:

  • The Indian Navy and the Republic of Singapore Navy have had robust relations spanning three decades of cooperation, coordination, and collaboration with regular visits, exchange of best practices, and reciprocal training arrangements. The current deployment underscores the strong linkages between both the navies.

Source:

https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2019842

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q. "Evaluate the strategic implications of such maritime engagements between India and Singapore, considering the evolving geopolitical dynamics in the Indo-Pacific region."( 250 words)