The Indian Navy on Friday added more teeth to its war fighting capabilities with the induction of guided missile stealth frigate INS Teg to its inventory. An advanced version of the Talwar-class frigates which are already in service with it, Teg was commissioned by Vice-Admiral K. N. Sushil, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Southern Naval Command, at a ceremony at the Yantar Shipyard at Kaliningrad, Russia.
Missiles
A Navy press release in this connection said that the formidable ship is of contemporary design, and it “has been built to meet the specific command and control needs of the Navy for coordinated surface, air, and underwater missions.”
The weapons suite of the 125-metre, 4,000-tonne frigate includes the BrahMos surface-to-surface missile system, a surface-to-air missile system, 100 mm medium-range gun, close-in weapon system (CIWS), torpedo tubes, and anti-submarine rockets.
Combat management system
With its advanced weapons suite and sensors fully integrated with its combat management system, the ship is equipped to augment the Navy's net-centricity, and is well-suited to undertake a broad spectrum of maritime missions. It also embarks and operates an anti-submarine or an airborne early warning helicopter — a dominant force multiplier.
Teg has incorporated innovative stealth technologies to reduce her radar cross-section, infrared and magnetic signatures, as well as radiated underwater noise.
Powered by an advanced gas turbine propulsion plant with state-of-the-art controls to attain speeds in excess of 30 knots, Teg has been equipped with complex automated systems for nuclear, biological and chemical defence, damage control and fire-fighting that can be operated centrally from sheltered posts to minimise casualties and achieve rapid restoration of combat effectiveness.
Righteous cause
The ship's crest embodies two crossed swords against a blue sky, and ocean waves which symbolise strength, responsibility and commitment to a righteous cause.
Commanded by Captain Rakesh Kumar Dahiya, a communications and electronic warfare specialist, Teg has a complement of 250 personnel, including as many as 25 officers. While Teg is slated to reach Indian shores by the latter half of June, the Indian Navy is slated to take delivery of the remaining ships of the Teg-class — Tarkash and Trikand — by September 2012 and mid-2013 respectively.
