Fire Broke Out On Naval Frigate INS Brahmaputra

INS Brahmaputra, a naval frigate, has been left “listing on its port side” following a fire that broke out during a refit at the Naval Dockyard in Mumbai. The vessel is currently lying on its side, and a junior sailor is missing. Check Out Details on the incident and INS Brahmaputra in this article.

A Fire Broke Out On Naval Frigate INS Brahmaputra

A fire broke out on the naval frigate INS Brahmaputra while it was undergoing a refit at the Naval Dockyard in Mumbai on July 22, 2024. The blaze was extinguished, but the ship began listing severely to its port side and is now lying on its side. All crew members have been accounted for except for one junior sailor, who is still missing. A search operation is ongoing to locate the missing sailor.

About INS Brahmaputra

The INS Brahmaputra is a frigate of the Indian Navy, part of the Brahmaputra class. Here are some key details about the ship:

• Class: Brahmaputra-class frigate
• Type: Guided-missile frigate
• Displacement: Approximately 4,000 tons
• Length: About 126 meters (413 feet)
• Beam: 14.8 meters (48.6 feet)
• Speed: Over 30 knots
• Range: Approximately 4,500 nautical miles
• Armament: Typically includes surface-to-surface missiles, anti-aircraft missiles, a range of naval guns, and torpedoes
• Propulsion: Gas turbines and diesel engines
• Role: Primarily tasked with anti-air, anti-surface, and anti-submarine warfare operations
• Commissioned: 2000s (exact commissioning date varies by ship)
• Homeport: Mumbai, Maharashtra, India

The INS Brahmaputra and its sister ships are designed to bolster India’s naval capabilities and play a crucial role in maintaining maritime security.

• Built by: State-run Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Limited.
  • It is the 1st of the indigenously built Brahmaputra-class guided missile frigates.

• Commissioning: The INS Brahmaputra was commissioned in April 2000, making it the lead ship of its class.
• Armament: It is equipped with a variety of weapons, including medium and close-range guns, surface-to-surface missiles, surface-to-air missiles, and torpedo launchers. These armaments enable it to engage a range of surface, sub-surface, and aerial threats.
• Helicopter Support: The frigate supports operations involving Seaking and Chetak helicopters, enhancing its capabilities in anti-submarine warfare and search and rescue operations.
• Dimensions: The ship measures 125 metres in length and has a displacement of approximately 5,300 tonnes, making it a sizable asset capable of enduring extended missions.
• Crew: It houses a crew of about 40 officers and 330 sailors, indicating a significant human resource component essential for the operation and maintenance of the ship.

Importance of INS Brahmaputra

The INS Brahmaputra holds significant importance in the Indian Navy for several reasons:

• Strategic Capability: As a guided-missile frigate, the INS Brahmaputra enhances India’s capability for both defensive and offensive operations. Its array of weapons systems, including surface-to-surface and anti-aircraft missiles, provides robust defense against a range of threats.
• Multi-Role Functionality: The frigate is equipped for multi-role operations, including anti-air, anti-surface, and anti-submarine warfare. This versatility allows it to perform various missions, from protecting naval assets to engaging enemy targets.
• Maritime Security: The Brahmaputra-class frigates are crucial for maintaining maritime security in the Indian Ocean Region. They contribute to safeguarding India’s maritime interests, protecting sea lanes of communication, and deterring potential threats.
• Naval Presence: The ship’s presence enhances India’s naval visibility and influence, demonstrating its ability to project power and uphold its strategic interests in the region.
• Operational Readiness: The INS Brahmaputra is an integral part of the Indian Navy’s fleet, contributing to its operational readiness and ability to respond effectively to maritime threats.

INS Brahmaputra UPSC

The INS Brahmaputra is a key guided-missile frigate of the Indian Navy, part of the Brahmaputra-class. Commissioned in the early 2000s, it excels in multi-role operations including anti-air, anti-surface, and anti-submarine warfare. With a displacement of around 4,000 tons, it enhances India’s naval capabilities by safeguarding maritime security and projecting power in the Indian Ocean Region. Its strategic significance lies in its versatile weaponry and operational readiness.

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