VISAKHAPATNAM: Three Immediate Support Vessels (ISVs), which are synonymous with quick reaction, were commissioned into the Indian Navy by Eastern Naval Command flag officer commanding-in-chief vice-admiral Anil Chopra at a ceremony held at the Naval Dockyard in Visakhapatnam Wednesday. The three ISVs - T-35, T-36 and T-37 - will constitute the 83rd Squadron of the ENC and will be commanded by an officer of the rank of a lieutenant and have a crew of six sailors.
The ISVs, which are equipped with advanced navigational and communication sensors and equipment, are capable of speed of up to 40 Knots and an operational radius of about 500 nautical miles. These vessels are designed with fiber glass reinforced hulls for patrolling in the Offshore Development Areas (ODAs). Each ship is armed with heavy and light machine guns and also carries an inflatable Gemini boat for search and rescue, law enforcement and maritime patrol. Designed and built by Abu Dhabi Ship Builders (ADSB) and Rodman 78 of Spain, the three ships project is a joint collaboration between ONGC and Indian Navy.
Addressing the gathering, vice-admiral Anil Chopra said the ships would provide a fillip to Indian Navy’s capability in furthering its mandate of maritime safety and security of the ODAs and to coastal security on the Eastern seaboard. Earlier, the commanding-in-chief was received at the Naval Jetty by Andhra Pradesh naval officer-in-charge captain Satish Uniyal and was presented a 50-men guard. He was introduced to lieutenants Abhinash Kumar, Mayuresh Singh and Pradeep Singh Ranawat, who are the commanding officers of the ISVs T-35, T36 and T37 respectively. The commanding officers read out the Commissioning Warrants, marking the commissioning of the ships into the Indian Navy.