Mumbai, May 27, 2005

Shrimati Kum Kum Prakash, wife of Admiral Arun Prakash PVSM, AVSM, VrC, VSM, ADC, Chief of the Naval Staff, today launched India's third stealth warship being built indigenously at the Mazagon Dock Limited. Admiral Arun Prakash PVSM, AVSM, VrC, VSM, ADC, Chief of the Naval Staff, was the Chief Guest.

As per tradition Shrimati Kum Kum Prakash applied kumkum on the bow of the ship, broke a coconut on the hull and named the ship SAHYADRI. At exactly 1430 hours she pressed the launch trigger and the new frigate, resplendent in its colourful buntings, slid down the slipway into the warm waters of the Arabian Sea to the strains of "Sare jehan se achha....". As it always happens during such launches, the SAHYADRI once again brought out a feeling of fierce pride and emotions among those who witnessed her graceful glide into the sea.

Like the first two ships in the series, SHIVALIK and SATPURA, the SAHYADRI is 143 M. long and 16.9 M. wide. Its stealth character diminishes physical signatures thus giving the ship advantage against enemy sensors and an element of surprise in action. The ship will be fitted with the latest surface-to-surface vertical launch missiles, surface-to-air missiles and state of the art radar and COMMUNICATIONS equipment. They will be powered by gas turbines and diesel engines to move at speeds above 30 knots and will operate two large helicopters for surveillance and anti submarine operations. The P-17 ships, though smaller in size than the DELHI class of destroyers built earlier at this yard, will have more deadly and potent weapons.

In his welcome address, Rear Admiral R. M. Bhatia, Chairman & Managing Director, Mazagon Dock, said that the P-17 frigates represent a major landmark in showcasing the indigenous warship design and manufacturing capability resulting from close co-operation between Mazagon Dock and the Indian Navy. He added that Mazagon Dock is today building two lines of warships for the Navy, the three stealth frigates and three follow on destroyers of the Delhi Class. SAHYADRI, he said, will be fitted out at MDL and was scheduled for commissioning into the Indian Navy by September 2009.

Rear Admiral Bhatia also requested for early placement of orders for the submarines to gainfully utilise the submarine building facilities at MDL, lying idle for over 10 years.

Among the dignitaries present on the occasion were Vice Admiral Madanjit Singh, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command and Vice Admiral J. S. Bedi, Controller of Warship Production & Acquisition.