Abu Dhabi: As a part of a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and to further strengthen defence cooperation between India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), two ships of the Indian Navy, INS Gomati (Guided Missile Frigate) and INS Kolkata (Guided Missile Destroyer) will take part in the maiden Bilateral Exercise Gulf Star 1 from 17 – 22 March, 2018. The ships arrived at Port Zayed, Abu Dhabi on 17 March, 2018 for the Harbour phase of the Exercise and will participate with UAEN ships for the Sea phase from 20 March, 2018.
After visiting the ships in Abu Dhabi March 17 Ambassador of India to UAE Mr Navdeep Suri said “I am delighted that the first ever bilateral exercises will soon get underway off the coast of Abu Dhabi. INS Kolkata and INS Gomati have formidable capabilities and the time that they spend with the friendly Naval Forces of UAE will establish a strong platform for us to advance our shared maritime security objectives in the Gulf and the Indian Ocean”. The current visit is a part of the understanding reached at highest level between the leadership of the two countries, which aims at furthering cooperation in defence through regular high-level visits, training programmes, joint exercises, participation in defence exhibitions and ship visits/port calls. India and UAE also have an Agreement on Defence Cooperation renewed in 2014, which provides a general framework for strengthening bilateral defence ties.
Both, INS Gomati (commissioned on 16 April 1988) and INS Kolkata (commissioned on 16 August 2014) have been built at Mazgaon Docks Limited, Mumbai and are representatives of India’s capability to construct state-of-the-art indigenous warships capable of undertaking proactive, coordinated combat operations for safeguarding India’s maritime interests.
Both the ships are based at Mumbai as a part of the Western Fleet, under the administrative and operational control of the Western Naval Command. INS Gomati is being commanded by Capt Ravi Kumar Dhingra and INS Kolkata is being commanded by Capt Susheel Menon.
INS Gomati
INS Gomati stands tall among equals just by the sheer heritage she carries, with her motto “Success is Born of Action” symbolizing not only the dynamism and spirit of the mighty river but also the vibrancy and “Never Say Die” attitude of her men. In keeping with her legacy, she continues to be a front line combatant of the Western Fleet.
Comparable to modern frigates world over, this powerful guided missile ship was commissioned into the Indian Navy on 16 April, 1988. Designed entirely by the Indian Navy’s Design Organization, the ship was built at Mazgaon Docks Limited, Mumbai and is representative of India’s capacity to construct large general purpose frigates capable of providing a Command and Control platform for extended Blue Water operations.
INS Gomati displaces 4200 tons and is manned by 30 officers and 280 sailors. This 125 meters long boiler ship is motorized by two steam engines, generating 30,000 horse power, capable of speeds in excess of 27 knots. She is a multifunctional platform capable of carrying Sea King 42B helicopter and undertaking RPA operations, which extended her reach far into the Blue Waters. The ship is equipped with an impressive array of weapons and sensors which include P-21/ 22 Surface-to-Surface Missile, sophisticated Barak Anti Missile Defence System, Ship and Air launched torpedoes, 76 mm Medium Range Super Rapid Gun Mount and 30 mm Close Range Guns. Her excellent state-of-the-art Electronic Warfare system and Passive Towed Array SONAR make her an ideal stealth platform for surveillance missions in any theatre.
The ship derives her name from the vibrant river that originates from the small reservoir ‘Gomati Tal’ situated approximately 20 miles east of Pillibhit in the hills of Uttaranchal and flows magnificently till her confluence with the Ganges, north of Varanasi.
Media Release
