The third Kolkata-class Guided Missile Destroyer INS Chennai was launched in Mumbai on Thursday by Elizabeth Antony, wife of the Defense minister AK Antony. Built by Mazagon Docks under the code name Project 15 Alpha 163 meter-long vessel was floated out amidst the chanting of Vedic hymns at a function in Mumbai.
According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Defense, INS Chennai is propelled by four gas turbines and is designed to achieve speed in excess of 30 knots. The statement also said, “INS Chennai will be fitted with the supersonic BrahMos surface-to-surface missile system. The system enables the ship to engage shore-based and naval surface targets at long range making it a lethal platform for strike against enemy targets.”
The ministry also said the ship’s air defense capability will revolve around the vertical launch, long range surface to air missile system, which is being co-developed by DRDO. “Four AK-630 rapid-fire guns will provide the ship with close-in-defense capability while an MR gun will enable her to provide effective naval gunfire support. Indigenously developed twin tube torpedo launchers and rocket launchers will add punch to the ship’s anti-submarine capability. Indeed, these ships integrate many new features and involve design changes that ensure a far more advance weapons platforms compared to the earlier Project–15 ships,” added the statement.
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