Three Water Jet Fast Attack Crafts namely Tarmugli, Tillanchang and Tihayu being launched by Smt Medha Murugesan, wife of Vice Admiral P Murugesan, Vice Chief of Naval Staff from Raja Bagan Dockyard, GRSE in Kolkata on June 30, 2015.

Photo Credit: PRO (Navy)

Three Follow-on Water Jet Fast Attack Craft (FO-WJFAC) for the Indian Navy were launched today at Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Ltd (GRSE), Kolkata by Smt Medha Murugesan, wife of Vice Admiral P Murugesan, AVSM, VSM, Vice Chief of the Naval Staff.

In accordance with the traditions, invocations from Atharva Veda were recited and Smt Medha Murugesan applied ‘Kumkum’ on all three ships and named these ships as ‘INS Tarmugli’, ‘INS Tilanchang’ & ‘INS Tihayu’. She wished the ships good luck and launched the vessels. The names of the ships are based on picturesque places in the Andaman and Nicobar islands in the Bay of Bengal.

Vice Admiral P Murugesan, Vice Chief of the Naval Staff, who was the Chief Guest during the occasion, asserted that Indian Navy has been the torch bearer in the drive for indigenous construction of warships and acknowledged the role of GRSE as a reliable partner in pursuing the national goal of ‘Make in India’. He extended warm felicitations to the entire team of the GRSE for their significant contribution towards meeting the Navy’s growing requirement of state-of- the art warships.

These follow on Water Jet Fast Attack Craft are powered by the latest 4000-series of MTU engines, along with advanced machinery control system and water jets and can attain a maximum speed of 35 Knots. The craft would also have the latest communication equipment and radars which would enable effective surveillance. These follow on ships have higher power generating capacity of 280 kW, enhanced capacity of RO plant from 2 TPD to 4 TPD among many other features as compared to the Water Jet Fast Attack Craft already in service. The indigenous CRN 91 Gun with Optronic Pedestal gives them the requisite firepower to undertake their basic role of patrolling effectively. Two of these ships are scheduled to be delivered to the Indian Navy in this year.

Launching of FO-WJFACs Yard 2109, 2110 and 2111 (out of the four contracted), designed in-house, and built by GRSE, Kolkata for the Indian Navy is yet another milestone in India’s quest for self-reliance in shipbuilding.