Port Blair, April 5: The Andaman and Nicobar Command welcomed INS Karmuk, a guided missile corvette of the Kora class on her re-basing from Eastern Naval Command to the Andaman and Nicobar Command. INS Karmuk arrived on Tuesday from Visakhapatnam and was received in a grand ceremony at the Naval wharf at Haddo. INS Karmuk would not only significantly enhance the off-shore surveillance and maritime patrolling around the Andaman and Nicobar Islands but its long-range surface to surface missiles would tremendously enhance the defence of A&N islands. This is the first time in the history of A&N islands that a missile corvette is being based. This is a concrete step towards realising the Indian Navy’s perspective plans of transforming Port Blair into a strategic maritime naval base. Commissioned on 04 Feb 2004, INS Karmuk is commanded by Cdr Akash Chaturvedi. The ship has a complement of 14 officers and 130 sailors. The ship is equipped with state-of- the-art navigation, communication and radar systems and boasts of contemporary Surface-to-Surface missiles, a main gun and secondary armament. With the ability to carry a helicopter INS Karmuk has the capability to operate well beyond the traditional maritime boundaries of the Andaman and Nicobar Command. The ship has undertaken various operations in the past, which include deployments in the South China Sea, maiden bilateral exercise with Japanese Naval Forces, deployments with other foreign navies and participation in the recently concluded International Fleet Review. This state-of-the-art ship would now add teeth to protecting India’s strategic interests and assets in the Andaman and Nicobar region. Further, besides ocean surveillance and surface warfare operations to prevent infiltration and protect maritime sovereignty, the ship will also monitor the busy sea lanes of communication passing through the A&N Islands and other vital assets.
