The public sector shipyard Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) has launched the second homegrown anti-submarine warfare (ASW) called ‘Kadmatt’ for the Indian Navy. The Kadmatt ASW is part of Indian Navy’s Project -28 which aims to modernize the navy by creating stealth corvettes to destroy enemy submarines. The Kadmatt ASW was launched in Kolkata in the presence of Minister of State for Defence Dr.M.Pallam Raju and other high-ranking naval officers and GRSE officials.
Speaking at the launch of the Kadmatt ASW, Dr. Pallam Raju stated that modernization of the Indian Navy and coast Guard is a top priority and huge requirement of ships must be met without any time and cost overruns. Dr. Pallam stated that it was impressive how 50 percent of the total work on the frontline warship Kadmatt was completed prior to the launch as against 40 percent for the first ASW ship Kamorta launched in April, last year. He added that since quality ships were needed, modern shipbuilding technology and tools must be adopted.
The ASW Kadmatt is the second of the Kamorta class ASW Corvettes for the Indian navy. The Kamorta Class ships have over 80 per cent indigenous content. These sophisticated corvettes are designed to ward off NBC (nuclear, biological and chemical) threats and have advanced stealth features. The 109 metres long, 12.8 metres wide ship with an approximate displacement capacity of 3,000 Tons can achieve a maximum speed of 25 knots. The ship has an endurance to cover nearly 3,450 nautical miles at 18 knots and can carry a helicopter on board. The low signature of radiated underwater noise boosts the anti-submarine warfare capability. . The ship is equipped with indigenous weapon and sensor suites including super-rapid gun mounting, anti-aircraft guns, torpedo launcher, rocket and chaff launchers. Other striking features include early warning, navigation, fire control radars and under-water sensors with integrated communication and electronic warfare systems.
According to experts, these stealth corvettes like Kadmatt with their home grown 533mm heavy torpedoes and ultra-low frequency sonars will prove to be a handful to the enemy submarines. GRSE is slated to launch four ASW corvettes for the Indian Navy each costing nearly $ 377.75 million per piece. Kamorta, the first in the series was launched on April 19 last year. Kamorta ASW after fitments is expected to be delivered to the Indian Navy in June 2012 and recently launched Kadmatt will be delivered in March 2013. The keel of the third ASW corvette has been laid in August 2010. The remaining two ASW corvettes scheduled to float out next from GRSE yards are Kiltan and Kavaratti.
Meanwhile, the GRSE modernization plan is expected to be completed next year and it will almost double the shipbuilding capacity of the yard enabling construction of large and more sophisticated warships using modern modular construction technology in a much shorter time frame. GRSE has also achieved a turnover of over $ 222.20 million in the last fiscal. Currently, GRSE enjoys a healthy order book position pegged at over $ 2.22 billion. The modernization plan of GRSE involving additional infrastructural facilities will involve an investment of $ 117.77 million. |