INS Sahyadri (F49)

History

The Shivalik class is a group of advanced stealth guided missile frigates in service with the Indian Navy, including INS Shivalik (F47), INS Satpura (F48) and INS Sahyadri (F49). All three planned ships are currently (2017) in active service.

The class was constructed from 2000 to 2010 and fully commissioned in 2012. These ships are the main frigate models currently available to the Indian Navy along with the Taiwan, Brahmaputra and Godavari classes.

INS Sahyadri (F49) was constructed by Mazagon Dock Limited and laid on 30 September 2003. She was launched on May 27, 2005, and sea trials were conducted in 2011-2012. She was officially commissioned on 21 July 2012 and is based outside Visakhapatnam.

When complete, Sahyadri will displace 6,800 tons at full load, be 468 feet long, have a beam of 55 feet, and have a draft of up to 15 feet. Power comes from 2 Pielstick 16PA6STC marine diesels delivering 15,200 hp and 2 GE LM2500+ gas turbines adding a further 33,600 hp.

These are arranged in CODOG (combined diesel or petrol) and serve as an efficiency measure where/when fast driving is better than cruising and vice versa. Under optimal conditions, the speed can reach 32 knots and the range can reach 5000 nautical miles.

Sahyadri is equipped with advanced sensors and processing equipment guided by an MR-760 Fregat M2EM 3-D radar system. She carries 4 x MR-90 "Orekh" radar units as well as 1 x ELTA EL/M-2238 STAR and 2 x ELTA EL/M-2221 STGR units. (Made in Israel). Like other modern warships, the ship is equipped with a hull sonar array as well as a towed sonar array for submarine hunting.

Electronic warfare (EW) is handled through the BEL Ajanta EW suite.

Weapons include a mixture of conventional projectiles and rocket-launched weapons. These include 1 x 76mm OTO-Melara (Italy) deck gun and 2 x AK-630 (Russia) close-in weapons system (CIWS). However, at the heart of their attack plan is a 32-cell Vertical Launch System (VLS) with Barak 1 (Israel) Surface-to-Air Missiles (SAM) and a 24-cell "Shtil-1" (Russian) battery-based surface-to-air missile . The ship can also carry eight anti-ship or land attack missiles/cruise missiles as needed to attack surface combatants and land-based coastal targets.

For anti-submarine warfare (ASW), 2 x DTA-53-956 series torpedo launchers and 2 x RBU-6000 (RPK-8) anti-submarine rocket (ASROC) launchers were installed.

This class of warships shows all signs of "stealth", as ledges are kept to a minimum as much as possible. The body sides are panel-side, and the silhouette blends nicely into the smooth lines of the hull itself. The bridge area is located in its usual fore-facing position, providing impressive views of the site ahead, while seamlessly integrating into the existing line of the superstructure itself. The mast is in the shape of an enclosed pyramid, housing various communication and sensor ports, and the midship chimney has a discreet, low-profile design and is completely self-contained - helping to convey the character reduction of this powerful craft. A secondary, shorter mast sits above the stern superstructure, which also houses a full-service helicopter hanger.

At the very end of the boat is a launch pad for the operation of up to 2 HAL Dhruv or Sikorsky Sea King class helicopters. The crew consists of approximately 257 employees.

INS Sahyadri commissioned in 2012, participated in the 2013 International Fleet Assessment in Sydney, Australia, participated in the 2014 RIMPAC, transited the South China Sea in 2015, and made several high-profile stops in the Philippines, Japan, South Korea in 2016 and Russia.

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