Khukri-class corvette

Summary

The Khukri-class corvette is a class of corvettes intended to replace the ageing Petya II-class corvettes of the Indian Navy.[citation needed]

INS Kuthar
Class overview
NameKhukri class
Builders
Operators
Preceded byVeer class
Succeeded byKora class
In commission1989–present
Planned4
Completed4
Active
Retired1
Preserved1
General characteristics [1]
TypeCorvette
Displacement1,423 short tons (1,291 t) (full load)
Length91.1 m (299 ft)
Beam10.5 m (34 ft)
Draught4 m (13 ft)
Propulsion2 × SEMT Pielstick/Kirloskar 18 PA6V 280 diesel engines (14,400 PS; 10,600 kW); 2 shafts
Speed24 kn (44 km/h; 28 mph)
Range4,000 nmi (7,400 km; 4,600 mi) at 16 kn (30 km/h; 18 mph)
Complement112 including 12 officers
Sensors and
processing systems
  • MR-352 (NATO: Cross Dome) E/F-band air search radar
  • Granit Garpun B (NATO: Plank Shave) I-band air and surface search radar
  • MR-123 (NATO: Bass Tilt) H/I-band fire control radar
  • BEL 1245 I-band navigation radar
Electronic warfare
& decoys
Armament
  • 4 × P-15 Termit (NATO: SS-N-2D Mod 1 Styx) missile launchers
  • SA-N-5 Grail launcher for air defence missiles
  • 1 × AK-176 76 mm 60-cal main gun
  • 2 × AK-630 30 mm gun
Aircraft carried1 × HAL Chetak or HAL Dhruv

The first two were ordered in December 1983 and the remaining in 1985. Around 65% of the ship contains indigenous content.[1] The diesel engines were assembled in India, under license by Kirloskar Group.

Four ships of the class were built. As of July 2023, two ships remain in service in the Indian Navy, and a third one has been donated to the Vietnam People's Navy.

Service history edit

Khukri the lead ship of the class was decommissioned after 32 years of service on 23 December 2021.[2] She has since been preserved as a museum ship in Diu, India.

During a meeting between the defence minister's of India and Vietnam, India decided to gift the Kirpan to the Vietnam People's Navy.[3]

Kirpan was transferred to Vietnam People's Navy and was decommissioned from Indian Navy service on 22 July 2023.[4]

Ships of the class edit

Name Pennant Builder Homeport Laid down Launched Commissioned Decommissioned Status
  Indian Navy
Khukri P49 Mazagon Dock Visakhapatnam 27 September 1985 3 December 1986 23 August 1989[1] 23 December 2021[2] Converted into a Museum at Diu
Kuthar P46 13 September 1986 15 April 1989 7 June 1990[1] Active
Kirpan P44 GRSE 15 November 1985 16 August 1988 12 January 1991[1] 22 July 2023[4] Transferred to   Vietnam People's Navy[3]
Khanjar P47 15 November 1985 16 August 1988 22 October 1991[1] Active
  Vietnam People's Navy
Ship 26 26 GRSE Cam Ranh 15 November 1985 16 August 1988 22 July 2023[4] Erstwhile Kirpan[4]

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d e f Commodore Stephen Saunders, ed. (2005). "India". Jane's Fighting Ships 2005-2006 (108th ed.). Coulsdon: Jane's Information Group. p. 322. ISBN 0710626924.
  2. ^ a b "INS KHUKRI DECOMMISSIONED AFTER 32 YEARS OF GLORIOUS SERVICE TO THE NATION" (Press release). PIB. 24 December 2021.
  3. ^ a b "Raksha Mantri & Minister of National Defence of Vietnam hold talks in New Delhi to carry forward bilateral defence cooperation". PIB (Press release). 19 June 2023.
  4. ^ a b c d "VISIT OF ADM R HARI KUMAR, CHIEF OF THE NAVAL STAFF, TO VIETNAM". PIB (Press release). 21 July 2023.

External links edit

  • [1]