- INS Kolkata
INS "Kolkata" is a "Kolkata" class
destroyer (Project 15A) of theIndian Navy . It was launched on29 March 2006 .Armed with supersonic
BrahMos cruise missile s, INS "Kolkata" is the largest and most lethal multi-role destroyer of the Indian Navy. It will be the first of Project 15 Alpha. Though of the "Delhi" class, it has been modified extensively to add stealth.The destroyer's keel was laid in September 2003. It was previously likely to be commissioned in the Navy in 2010. It has now been delayed to 2012 or 2013. [ [http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Navy_hit_by_delay_of_big-ticket_projects/articleshow/2520694.cms Navy hit by delay of big-ticket projects] ]
Two more "Kolkata"-class vessels will be inducted in the subsequent two years. The "Kolkata" has 16 BrahMos launchers — eight on each side. The destroyer is likely to get long-range
surface-to-air missile s (SAM). The Mazagon Dock has not named the missile but indicated that it is being "co-developed" by the Defence Research and Development Organisation.Vertical launch system
A defence sourcewho said the destroyer might have a 24-cell vertical launch system for SAMs in its forward and aft areas, making it a total of 48. Four
AK-630 rapid-fire guns would back the missiles. The ship will have a gun for surface targets. There are also twin-tube torpedo launchers and anti-submarine rocket launchers.Besides a multi-function
radar system, the destroyer has the Humsa-NG hull mountedsonar and a Nagin activetowed array sonar . Like the "Delhi" class, "Kolkata" will be able to operate two multi-role helicopters.All sensors and weapons are integrated in a state-of-the-art system; the networking of the weapons and sensors will enable the warship to combat multi-threats in different dimensions simultaneously. INS "Kolkata""s sides are covered and rounded, making detection difficult. All missile launchers and bases of the superstructure are covered for the same reason. A four reversible
gas turbine propulsion system will afford the warship to cruise in excess of 30 knots.It is designed to carry up to 48 long range surface to air missiles being jointly developed by the
DRDO , the only missile that can be thought of in this category is the Indo-Israeli Barak 2.References
External links
* [http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/NAVY/Kolkata.html Kolkata class Kolkata class destroyer @ Bharat-Rakshak.com]
* [http://www.thehindu.com/2006/04/01/stories/2006040104971300.htm A lethal combination of stealth and strength]
* [http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Cities/Bombay_Times/Queen_of_the_high_seas/articleshow/msid-1473297,curpg-1.cms Queen of the high seas]
* [http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Navy_hit_by_delay_of_big-ticket_projects/articleshow/2520694.cms Navy hit by delay of big-ticket projects]
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.
