In what will provide an opportunity to Mumbaikars to undertake a guided tour of India’s two front line warships, the Navy is throwing open INS Delhi and INS Tarkash for public viewing on four days during two weekends of this month, as part of the Navy Day-2015 celebrations.
“The Indian Naval Ships (INS) Delhi and Tarkash will be ‘Open to the Public’ from 10 am to 3 pm on two weekends November 14, 15, 21 and 22, as a part of Navy Day 2015 celebrations,” a Defence spokesperson said here on Thursday.
A free-of-cost entry to the ships will be provided to all the visitors from the Tiger Gate near Ballard Estate at Fort in south Mumbai for a guided tour. During the event large crowds throng the dockyard every year for glimpse of their warships.
“We are advising the visitors not to bring mobile phones with camera, cameras, bags or baggage for security reasons,” the spokesperson said.
Commissioned in 1997, 6,700-tonne INS Delhi is a floating testimony to the high level of technological advancement, ship design and building capabilities achieved by India over the years. Delhi is a multipurpose command and control platform capable of operating in a multi-threat environment.
INS Delhi’s formidable arsenal comprises Surface to Surface missiles, Surface to Air Missiles, 100 & 30 mm Guns, Torpedoes, Anti-Submarine Rockets and Chaff decoys. Her sensors include two long range surveillance radars, advanced Electronics warfare suite and indigenously developed sonar integrated into a composite network. She carries two Sea King helicopters, capable of both anti-Submarine as well as anti-surface operations.
Commissioned on 12 November 2012, 4,000-tonne INS Tarkash remains one of the latest platforms for the Indian Navy and is a work horse for the Western Fleet. Its weapon package includes Surface-to-Surface Missiles, Surface-to-Air-Missiles, Advanced Torpedo launchers, Anti Missile Defence System and 100 mm gun. She also has an extensive suite of sensors including the indigenous HUMSA sonar made by Messrs Bharat Electronics.
INS Tarkash was among the ships which participated in Operation Rahat off the coast of Yemen earlier this year.