INS Kolkata proves India's indigenous capability, says PM Modi

Mumbai: Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Saturday that the warship INS Kolkata proves India’s indigenous capability. “INS Kolkata is going to the Indian Navy. This is also a testing time of Indian scientists and engineers. INS Kolkata proves India’s indigenous capability,” Modi said at commissioning of INS Kolkata to Indian Navy here.

He added that this warship will send message across the globe about India’s capability. “INS Kolkata is a symbol of self-reliance and will boost the confidence of armed forces and the inspire the youth at the same time,” added Modi.

INS Kolkata is fitted with most advanced weapon systems including anti-submarine technology.

Modi arrived at INS Shikra, the Indian Navy’s helicopter base in South Mumbai, and then proceeded to the Naval Dockyard. Also present at the commissioning function were Defence Minister Arun Jaitley, Maharashtra GOvernor K Sankaranarayanan, Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan and Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral R K Dhowan.

The 6,800 tonne Kolkata class warship was constructed by the Mazagon Docks Ltd, Mumbai and has been designed by the Navy’s Design Bureau. The keel of the warship was laid down in September 2003 and the ship was launched in 2006.

Modi will also later in the day lay the foundation for a multi-crore SEZ and port connectivity project in Navi Mumbai, dedicate a Powergrid’s transmission line and launch multiple road and highway projects in Solapur.

INS Kolkata and two more destroyers (INS Kochi and INS Chennai) are being built by the Mazagon Docks Ltd under the Rs 11,662-crore Project-15A. The project is to be followed by the 15-B, which comprises the building of four guided missile stealth destroyers. 15-A is however well beyond schedule.

With inputs from IANS