The craft are lightly-armed surface ones capable of operating at high seas and in coastal waters

Adding strength to the Eastern Naval Command’s mandate of maritime safety and security of the offshore development areas (ODAs) and coastal security, three fast attack craft were commissioned by Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief Eastern Naval Command Vice Admiral Anil Chopra here on Wednesday.

The three Immediate Support Vessels (ISVs) – T-35, T-36 and T-37 – constituting the 83 Squadron are lightly-armed surface craft capable of operating at high seas as well as in coastal waters. They are capable of day and night surveillance and can carry out rapid insertions/ extractions of MARCOS for ship/ offshore interventions and operations in ODAs.

Equipped with advanced navigational and communication sensors and equipment, the ISVs are capable of speeds up to 40 Knots and an operational radius of 500 nautical miles. Designed with fibreglass reinforced hulls for patrolling in the ODAs, each ship is armed with heavy and light machine guns and also carries an inflatable Gemini boat for search and rescue, law enforcement and maritime patrol. The ISVs are commanded by an officer of the rank of Lieutenant and have a crew of six sailors.

These craft have been designed and built by Abu Dhabi Ship Builders (ADSB) and Rodman, 78, Spain, as part of a project that is a joint collaboration between Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Ltd, ADSB and the Indian Navy.

The three are part of the nine ISVs to be deployed with the ENC out 23 being acquired by the Indian Navy, Naval Officer-in-charge Andhra Pradesh Capt Satish Uniyal said.