INS Kiltan is an indigenously-built anti-submarine warfare stealth corvette that was commissioned into the Indian Navy.
This is the third of the four Kamorta-class corvettes being built under Project 28. The Kamorta-class corvettes are a class of anti-submarine warfare corvettes currently in service with the Indian Navy.
It is propelled by four diesel engines to achieve a speed of over 25 knots.
The ship has enhanced stealth features resulting in a reduced Radar Cross Section (RCS) achieved by X-form of hull and superstructure along with optimally sloped surfaces.
It is designed by the Indian Navy’s in-house organisation, Directorate of Naval Design and built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE) in Kolkata.
INS Kiltan is the latest indigenous warship after Shivalik Class, Kolkata Class and sister ships INS Kamorta and INS Kadmatt.
It is the first major warship to have undertaken sea trials of all major weapons and sensors as a pilot project.
The ship derives its name from one of the islands in Aminidivi group of the Lakshadweep and Minicoy group of islands.
Assessment
With the changing power dynamics in the Indian Ocean Region, INS Kiltan will augment the Indian Navy’s mobility, reach and flexibility.
The commissioning of Kiltan will add a new dimension to the Anti Submrine Warfare (ASW) capability of the Indian Navy and the Eastern Fleet in particular. The multifarious missions that can be undertaken by the ship truly reflect the enhanced multi-dimensional capability of the Indian Navy.
OPV Vikram
An offshore patrol vessel (OPV), developed in-house by Larsen and Toubro, the country's first-ever such defence craft to be built in a private shipyard, was handed over to the Coast Guard.
