Navies of India, Indonesia begins 6 day exercise to expand bilateral ties (GS Paper 3, Defence)
Why in news?
- The Navies of India and Indonesia recently began Samudra Shakti, a six-day maritime exercise in sync with their overall efforts to expand bilateral military engagement.
Details:
- The Indian Navy has deployed its indigenously built anti-submarine warfare corvette INS Kavaratti, a Dornier maritime patrol aircraft and a Chetak chopper for the Samudra Shakti exercise.
- The Indonesian Navy is being represented at the exercise by warship KRI Sultan Iskandar Muda, CN 235 maritime patrol aircraft and AS565 panther helicopter.
Key Highlights:
- The harbour phase of the exercise will comprise cross-deck visits, professional interactions and subject matter expert exchanges.
- During the sea phase, weapon firing, helicopter operations, anti-submarine warfare and air defence exercises and boarding operations are planned.
- Samudra Shakti will showcase the high level of interoperability between the two navies and their shared commitment towards peace and stability in the region.
Way Forward:
- Exercise Samudra Shakti is aimed at enhancing interoperability, jointness and mutual cooperation between both the navies
Indian Navy's newest guided missile destroyer INS Mormugao hits 'bulls eye'
(GS Paper 3, Defence)
Why in news?
- Recently, the Indian Navy successfully fired a Brahmos Supersonic cruise missile firing, using its frontline guided missile destroyer INS Mormugao.
INS Mormugao:
- Named after the historic port city of Goa on the West coast, Mormugao coincidentally undertook her first sea sortie on Dec 19, 2021, when Goa celebrated 60 years of liberation from Portuguese rule.
- The majestic ship measures 163m in length, and 17 m in breadth with a displacement of 7400 tonnes.
- The ship is propelled by four powerful Gas Turbines, in a Combined Gas and Gas (COGAG) configuration, capable of achieving speeds in excess of 30 knots. The ship has enhanced stealth features resulting in a reduced Radar Cross Section (RCS).
Warfare capability:
- Mormugao is packed with sophisticated 'state of the art' weapons and sensors such as Surface to Surface Missile and Surface to Air Missiles.
- The ship is fitted with a modern Surveillance Radar which provides target data to the gunnery weapon systems of the ship.
- The ship's Anti-Submarine Warfare capabilities are provided by the indigenously developed Rocket Launchers, Torpedo Launchers and ASW helicopters.
- The ship is equipped to fight under Nuclear, Biological and Chemical (NBC) warfare conditions," read an official statement by the Ministry of Defence.
Way Forward:
- It was the maiden Brahmos firing for the destroyer and it successfully managed to hit the 'Bulls Eye'.
- This marks another symbol of 'Aatmanibharta' and the Indian Navy's firepower at the sea.
