Know all about INS Brahmaputra

A fire broke out on the Indian Navy's multi-role frigate INS Brahmaputra, causing the ship to list heavily and resulting in the disappearance of a junior sailor. The incident occurred on July 21 while the vessel was undergoing refit at Mumbai's Naval Dockyard.

INS Brahmaputra, commissioned on April 14, 2000, is India's first indigenously built 'Brahmaputra' class guided missile frigate. The ship has a displacement of 5,300 tonnes, measures 125 meters in length, and has a beam of 14.4 meters. It can reach speeds exceeding 27 knots.

An official statement from the Indian Navy described the events: "A fire had broken out on board Indian Naval Ship Brahmaputra, a multi-role frigate, on the evening of July 21 while she was undergoing refit at Naval Dockyard Mumbai." The crew, aided by dockyard firefighters and other ships in the harbour, managed to control the blaze by the morning of July 22. Subsequent checks were conducted to assess any remaining risks.

The ship began listing severely to its port side on the afternoon of July 22. Despite efforts to stabilize it, INS Brahmaputra continued to list further and is now resting on one side. The release added, "All the personnel have been accounted for except one junior sailor, for whom the search is in progress. An inquiry has been ordered by the Indian Navy to investigate the accident."

About INS Brahmaputra

Manned by a crew comprising 40 officers and 330 sailors, INS Brahmaputra is armed with medium-range and close-range guns, anti-aircraft guns, surface-to-surface and surface-to-air missiles, and torpedo launchers. The ship also features comprehensive sensors and can operate Seaking and Chetak helicopters for various missions such as coastal patrolling, maritime diplomacy, counter-terrorism, and anti-piracy operations.

INS Brahmaputra played a significant role in Operation Sukoon during the Lebanon conflict in July 2006 under Capt Kapil Gupta's command. This operation aimed to evacuate Indian nationals along with Sri Lankan and Nepalese citizens from Lebanon during its war.

Historical Significance

The ship is named after the prominent Brahmaputra river in North Eastern India. Its crest features a grey-coloured one-horned Indian rhinoceros against white and blue sea waves. The war cry of INS Brahmaputra is "Dushman ko Khatra, Jab aage Brahmaputra," which translates to "The enemy faces grave danger when Brahmaputra leads the fray."

The tradition of rechristening ships with the same name continues with INS Brahmaputra. The previous vessel bearing this name was commissioned on March 23, 1958, serving until its decommissioning on June 30, 1986. Originally ordered for the British Navy as Panther, it served in both the 1965 and 1971 Wars across India's western and eastern seaboards.

INS Brahmaputra represents India's naval strength with its advanced capabilities and historical significance. Its involvement in key operations highlights its importance within the fleet.