The first of two Advanced Frigates under construction by Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) for the Indian Navy was launched on 23 July at GSL shipyard in Vasco. Goa Governor P S Sreedharan Pillai launched the frigate, while his wife, Rita Pillai, named it ‘Triput’. The ship has been named Triput, after the mighty arrow, representing the indomitable spirit of the Indian Navy and its ability to strike far and deep, stated the official statement.
The contract for building these two Triput-class advanced frigates was signed between the Ministry of Defence (MoD) and GSL on January 25, 2019. Designed for combat operations against enemy surface ships, submarines, and aircraft, the Triput-class ships measure 124.8 meters in length, 15.2 meters in width, and have a draught of 4.5 meters. With a displacement of approximately 3,600 tons, these ships can reach a maximum speed of 28 knots. They have stealth features, advanced weapons and sensors, and platform management systems.
Constructed by GSL, the Triput-class ships are follow-on vessels to the Teg and Talwar class ships acquired from Russia. This project marks a significant milestone as the first time these frigates are being built indigenously by an Indian shipyard.
GSL’s Chairman and Managing Director, Brajesh Kumar Upadhyay, said the shipyard was building a ship of this magnitude for the first time in its 67-year-long history. “So far, we have built offshore and fast patrol vessels. It is the first major warship we are building,” he said.
It’s a testament to India’s commitment to self-reliance in defence production, as a substantial portion of the equipment, including weapons and sensors, is of indigenous origin. This not only ensures that the Indian manufacturing sector executes large-scale defence production but also contributes to the generation of employment and the enhancement of capabilities within the country.
Vice Chief of the Navy Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Western Command, Vice Admiral Sanjay Singh, and Controller of Warship Production and Acquisitions of Indian Navy Vice Admiral B Sivakumar were among the dignitaries present on the occasion.
Team BharatShakti
