INS SUMEDHA (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Security)

Context: INS Sumedha recently made a port call in Lagos, Nigeria during its deployment to the Gulf of Guinea.

INS Sumedha

• It is third of the indigenously designed and manufactured ‘Saryu’ Class Naval Offshore Patrol Vessel (NOPV). 
• The ship has the capability to be deployed for multiple roles independently and in support of Fleet Operations.
• It is equipped with weapon systems, sensors, state of art navigation, communication systems and Electronic Warfare suites. 
• INS Sumedha has undertaken various Fleet support operations.

Nigeria

• About: It is an African country on the Gulf of Guinea, has many natural landmarks and wildlife reserves
• Capital: Abuja
• Currency: Naira
• Protected Areas: Cross River National Park and Yankari National Parks
• Vegetation: Savanna and rare primate habitats. 
• Shares borders with: Niger in the North, Chad in the North-East, Cameroon in the East & Benin in the West.
• Nigeria's economy is the largest in Africa.
• Nigeria is the 12th largest producer of petroleum in the world, Petroleum accounting for 40% of GDP and 80% of government earnings.

Gulf of Guinea

• The Gulf of Guinea constitutes the most northeastern section of the tropical Atlantic Ocean.
• This gulf serves as the point where the Equator and Prime Meridian intersect, marked at zero degrees latitude and longitude.
• The Gulf of Guinea receives various river inflows, including the Niger and Volta rivers.