The Sukanya-class patrol vessels are large, offshore patrol craft in active service with the Indian Navy. Three lead ships were built by Korea Tacoma, now part of Hanjin Group. Vessels of the Sukanya class are named after notable women from Indian epics.
_of_1st_Training_squadron_en-route_to_Sri_Lanka.jpg) INS Sujata (P56) en-route to Sri Lanka
| |
| Class overview | |
|---|---|
| Builders | |
| Operators | |
| Succeeded by | Saryu class |
| Planned | 7 |
| Completed | 7 |
| Active | 7 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | Patrol vessel |
| Displacement | 1,890 tons (full load)[1] |
| Length | 101.1 m (332 ft)[2] |
| Beam | 11.5 m (38 ft)[2] |
| Draught | 4.4 m (14 ft)[2] |
| Propulsion | 2 × SEMT Pielstick 16 PA6 V 280 diesel engines, 12,800 PS (9,410 kW), 2 shafts[2] |
| Speed | 21 knots (39 km/h; 24 mph)[1] |
| Range | 5,800 nmi (10,700 km; 6,700 mi) at 15 knots (28 km/h; 17 mph)[2] |
| Complement | 140 including 15 officers[1] |
| Sensors and processing systems |
|
| Armament |
|
| Aircraft carried | 1 × HAL Chetak[2] |
Description
editThe Sukanya class have large hulls, although they are lightly armed since they are utilized primarily for offshore patrol of India's exclusive economic zone. However, they are capable of being heavily armed and upgraded to light frigates should the need arise. Two vessels of the class, Subhadra and Suvarna have been used as test beds for installation of the Dhanush ship-based ballistic missile launch system. This includes the stabilization platform for enabling the ships to launch the missiles in stormy conditions.[4]
Sarayu was sold to Sri Lanka and renamed SLNS Sayura. She was the former flagship of the Sri Lanka Navy and obtained several remarkable naval victories against the naval branch (Sea Tigers) of the Tamil Tiger rebels.
Ships of the class
edit| Name | Pennant | Builder | Launched | Commissioned | Homeport | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Indian Navy
| ||||||
| Sukanya | P50 | Korea Tacoma | 1989 | 31 August 1989[2] | Mumbai | Active |
| Subhadra | P51 | 1989 | 25 January 1990[2] | |||
| Suvarna | P52 | 22 August 1990 | 4 April 1991[2] | |||
| Savitri | P53 | Hindustan Shipyard Limited | 23 May 1989 | 27 November 1990[2] | Visakhapatnam | |
| Sharda | P55 | 22 August 1990 | 27 October 1991[2] | Kochi | ||
| Sujata | P56 | 25 October 1991 | 3 November 1993[2] | |||
 Sri Lanka Navy
| ||||||
| Sayura | P54 | Hindustan Shipyard Limited | 16 October 1989 | 8 October 1991 | Active. Erstwhile Sarayu, sold to Sri Lanka Navy in 2000.[5] | |
Operators
edit- Indian Navy- Total 7 ships constructed in this class. One ship sold to Sri Lanka navy. 6 ships remain in active service.
- Sri Lanka Navy – 1 ship purchased from Indian navy.
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c "Indian Naval Ships-OPV-Sukanya Class". Indian Navy. Archived from the original on 23 February 2012.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Commodore Stephen Saunders, ed. (2005). "India". Jane's Fighting Ships 2005-2006 (108th ed.). Coulsdon: Jane's Information Group. p. 324. ISBN 0710626924.
- ^ "Dhanush, Prithvi missiles test-fired". Business Line. 12 March 2011.
- ^ Pandit, Rajat (22 August 2006). "Navy, IAF induct Prithvi". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 16 October 2012.
- ^ Commodore Stephen Saunders, ed. (2005). "Sri Lanka". Jane's Fighting Ships 2005-2006 (108th ed.). Coulsdon: Jane's Information Group. p. 707. ISBN 0710626924.