INS KOCHI : India's deadliest Warship

Yesterday Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar commissioned INS KOCHI, second ship of the Kolkata-class(Project 15A) Destroyer at Naval Dockyard in Mumbai. INS KOCHI is the largest ever warship built in India.

The motto of INS KOCHI is  "Jahi Shatrun Mahabaho" which on translated means "Armed to Conquered the Enemy".

The Kolkata-class Destroyer are class of stealth guided missile destroyers. The Kolkata-class destroyes are next generation of the mighty Delhi-class Destroyer with 3 ships in its class(namely- Kolkata, Kochi, Chennai). INS Kolkata has already providing its service to Nation and Ins Chennai is expected to enter in service in 2016.
 
Destroyers are the second in line after Aircraft carrier in projecting raw combat power in the high sea. With the induction of INS KOCHI, India has now 10 Destroyer in its fleet. With the displacement of 7400 tons, the majestic ship spanning over 164m length and 17m width is propelled by 4 gas turbines and can attain maximum speed of 30knots(56kms).

The ship has a complement of about 40 officers and 350 sailors. The ship incorporates a new design for improved survivability, sea-keeping and manoeuvrability.

Enhanced stealth feature has been achieved through shaping of hull and use of radar transparent deck fitting. INS KOCHI is packed with an array of state-of-the-art weapons and sensors, with a significant indigenous component. The ship is one of the few warship in the world and second in the Indian Navy to have Multi-function Surveillance and Threat alert radar to provide target data to long range Surface to Air Missile System.

The Ship is equipped with Ship Data Network, Combat Management System, Automatic Power Management System and Auxiliary Control System. The SDN is the information highway on which data from all the sensors and weapons ride. The CMS performs threat evaluation and resource allocation based on tactical picture compiled and ammunition avail onboard. While propulsion and power management is done using the AMPS, remote control and monitoring is achieved through the ACS. In other word, it can be describe as "Network of Networks". A bow mounted Sonar Dome , the second of its kind in an indigenous naval platform, has been introduced to enhance sonar acoustic performance.

To protect against airborne and surface threats, at medium and close range, the INS KOCHI has

• 32 Barak 8 SAMs,
• 16 BrahMos Missiles,
• 4X Mark 46 Torpedo,
• 2x RBU-6000 anti-submarine rockets,
• 1x76mm gun Oto Melara SRGM and
•  AK-630 CIWS.

With the increasing threat from both sides(Pakistan and China) it is necessary for the Navy to increase its strength. Many of the projects  are behind the Schedule which are needed to be fastrack completion.