India commissions FAC INS Koswari

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NEW DELHI: Indian Navy on Tuesday commissioned a brand new craft named INS Koswari, the ninth indigenously built Fast Attack Craft (FAC) in Vishakhapatnam city of southern Andhra Pradesh state.

Lieutenant General Bikram Singh, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Command, Indian Army was guest honour for the special occasion.

Speaking at the inauguration, Vice-Admiral Anup Singh, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Eastern Naval Command, said these vessels would enhance the efficiency of the Indian Navy.

Lauding the manufacturers, Lt. General Bikram Singh said INS Koswari would serve as a vital link in the protection of the Konkan coast, the strategically located Lakshadweep group of islands and the vast amount of shipping passing through these waters.

Admiral K. C. Sekhar (Retd.), Chairman and Managing Director, M/S Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Limited, said the ship is cost efficient, fuel efficient and is ideally suited for anti-poaching, anti-surfing and anti-piracy operations.

The ship is named after an island measuring 52 meters in length and displacing 325 tons, with the maximum speed of 30 Knots.

The ship is especially made for extended coastal and offshore surveillance and patrolling, with the fitting of advanced MTU engines and latest communication sets.

INS Koswari will be based at Karwar, under the Naval Officer-in-Charge of southern Karnataka state and will be deployed for Coastal Patrol and Anti-Piracy missions along the Konkan coast and the Lakshadweep group of islands.