Context
The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) has given the Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for the procurement of next-generation Corvettes for the Indian Navy at an approximate cost of Rs 36,000 crore.
What is a Corvette?
- A Corvette is the smallest class of naval ships and it falls below the warship class of a frigate.
- These are highly agile ships and are categorised as missile boats, anti-submarine ships, coastal patrol crafts and fast attack naval vessels.
History
- The word corvette itself is derived from French and Dutch origin.
- Corvettes date back to the 18th and the 19th century when they were extensively used in the naval warfare duels that were fought at high seas.
- However, these were powered by sails and masts, and disappeared for a while when steam powered naval ships made their appearance.
- During World War II, the term Corvette was used to describe vessels which had anti-submarine roles assigned to them.
- Modern Corvettes can go up to 2,000 tons in displacement which helps in keeping them agile.
What kind of Corvettes does the Indian Navy possess?
- The Indian Navy at present has the Kamorta Class Corvettes, which are also known as Project 28.
- These ships have an anti-submarine role and are manufactured at Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers in Kolkata.
- The four Kamorta Class Corvettes that the Indian Navy possesses are named INS Kamorta, INS Kadmatt, INS Kiltan and INS Kavaratti.
- The first of these was commissioned in 2014 and the last one in 2020.
Objectives
- The next-generation Corvettes will be manufactured for various roles like surveillance missions, escort operations, deterrence, surface action group operations, search and attack and coastal defence.
- It is worth noting that these roles will be in addition to the anti-submarine roles being already performed by the existing Corvettes in the Navy.
- Corvettes will be constructed based on the new in-house design of the Indian Navy using the latest technology of ship buildings.
- They would contribute to further the government’s initiative of Security and Growth for all in the region (SAGAR).
