Article Posted on : - May 24, 2016

A representational photo.

VISAKHAPATNAM (PTI): The Indian Navy on Monday commissioned INS Tarmugli, the highly manoeuvrable fast attack craft, at the Eastern Naval Command (ENC).

The ship was commissioned into the Navy by ENC's Flag Officer Commanding in Chief Vice Admiral H C S Bisht at a ceremony held at Naval Dockyard here, a Defence release said.

INS Tarmugli would be based here under the Naval Officer-in-Charge (Andhra Pradesh) and deployed for coastal patrol and surveillance operations along the eastern coast, it said.

INS Tarmugli is the first Follow-on Water Jet Fast Attack Craft (WJFAC), built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Ltd (GRSE). The ship is an improved version of WJFAC, earlier constructed by GRSE.

Named after an island in the Andaman group, the 320-tonne ship, measuring 48 metres can achieve speeds in excess of 30 knots. The ship is manned by a team comprising four officers and 41 sailors with Commander Sreejith S Nair appointed as her commissioning Commanding Officer, the release said.

The indigenously conceived, designed and built ship is capable of operating in shallow waters at high speeds and is equipped with enhanced fire power.

Built for extended coastal and off-shore surveillance and patrol the warship is fitted with advanced MTU engines, water jet propulsion and latest communication equipment.

The ships armament consists of a 30 mm CRN 91 gun manufactured by Ordnance Factory Medak.