INS SUMITRA (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Sci and Tech)

Context: INS Sumitra, on Anti-Piracy Operations along the East coast of Somalia and the Gulf of Aden, responded to a distress message regarding hijacking of an Iranian flagged Fishing Vessel 'Iman'.

INS Sumitra

• About: It is an indigenously built naval offshore patrol vessel (NOPV), was commissioned into the naval fleet on September 4. 

oThis is the Navy's largest offshore patrol vessel.

• Tone Vessel: The 2200-tonne vessel is the biggest NOPV to be developed at Goa Shipyard.
• Indigenous NOPV: The vessel is the fourth in the series of indigenous NOPV developed for Indian Navy.
• Weapons installed: It also has medium and short range weapons installed in it.

oThey include 76mm guns, Close-in Weapon System (CIWS), electronic support and a communication intelligence system.

• Helipad: It has a helipad to operate one light weight Dhruv helicopter.
• Advanced weapon sensor platform: There is an advanced weapon sensor platform, making INS Sumitra effective for surveillance and ensuring security of offshore installations, including oil filling stations.
• Coastal surveillance: The vessel will give a boost to coastal surveillance and anti-piracy and counter maritime terrorism operations of the Navy.
• Eastern Naval Command fleet: It is suitable for monitoring sea lanes of communication, defence of offshore oil installations and other critical offshore national assets.

oThe latest generation warship will join the Eastern Naval Command fleet for maritime surveillance and coastal security.