INS Shikra

INS Shikra
Ship name	INS Shikra
Ship class	Seaward Defence Boat
Builder	Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers
Operator	Indian Navy
Laid down	1990s
Launched	1990s
Commissioned	1990s
Displacement	~200 tons
Length	~42 m
Beam	~7 m
Propulsion	Diesel engines
Speed	25+ knots
Complement	~30

INS Shikra is a Seaward Defence Boat of the Indian Navy that has been employed for coastal patrol, harbor defence, and training duties. The ship has operated alongside units from Eastern Naval Command, Western Naval Command, Southern Naval Command, and has interacted with platforms such as INS Vikramaditya, INS Kolkata, and INS Shivalik. Her missions have overlapped with Indian Coast Guard units, MARPOL enforcement actions, and joint exercises with foreign navies like the United States Navy, Royal Navy, and Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force.

Design and Specifications

The platform was developed to meet requirements set by Indian Navy planners influenced by earlier patrol designs like the Sukanya-class patrol vessel and coastal craft concepts from Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers. Displacement, hull form, and machinery reflect small combatant standards similar to those used on boats operated by Royal Australian Navy and Bangladesh Navy. Dimensions prioritize speed and maneuverability for littoral zones near locations such as Port Blair, Visakhapatnam, and Mumbai Harbour. Endurance and range are comparable with patrol craft used during operations such as Operation Talwar and coastal surveillance associated with the Sagar Prahari Bal concept. Survivability considerations parallel guidelines from Navies of the world for small combatants.

Construction and Commissioning

Built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers at workshops that have produced classes like Vishwagaurav and others, the vessel was laid down and launched during a period of expansion in the 1990s concurrent with acquisitions including INS Arihant program early studies and surface ship modernizations. Commissioning ceremonies have traditionally involved officials from the Ministry of Defence (India), state authorities from regions such as West Bengal, and officers who previously served on ships like INS Vikrant (R11). Shipyard practices reflect manufacturing linkages with suppliers used by projects such as Project 15A and Project 17A.

Operational History

Shikra has conducted coastal patrols, harbor defence, and fleet support missions in areas including Palk Strait, Gulf of Mannar, and the approaches to Chennai Port. The ship has been tasked during security operations connected to incidents like the 2008 Mumbai attacks aftermath, anti-piracy patrols reminiscent of Operation Atal and multinational patrols in the Indian Ocean Region alongside Indian Coast Guard cutters and foreign units including detachments from Royal Australian Navy and United States Coast Guard. Training deployments have supported establishments such as INS Mandovi, INS Kadamba, and INS Valsura, and the platform has been present during naval exercises like Exercise Malabar, Exercise Varuna, and coastal drills with the Mauritian National Coast Guard.

Armament and Sensors

Primary armament fits within the small combatant profile and aligns with systems used on patrol vessels like the 22 mm autocannon mounts and light machine guns comparable to equipment supplied by firms that have worked with the Arms Control Export Authority frameworks. Weapon suites are modular to mirror trends seen on vessels retrofitted under projects such as Project 28 and have integration practices similar to those applied to sensors on frigates like INS Kolkata. Onboard sensors include navigation radars and electro-optical systems analogous to suites installed on fast attack crafts in the inventories of Royal Navy and French Navy coastal units. Communications gear interoperates with networks used during exercises like MILAN and operations coordinated through commands such as Integrated Defence Staff.

Crew and Accommodation

Crew size and onboard accommodations follow standards used across small surface combatants of regional navies including the Royal Thai Navy and Sri Lanka Navy. Complement numbers approximate those found on sister Seaward Defence Boats and support roles join personnel trained at establishments like Indian Naval Academy (Ezhimala), Naval Physical and Oceanographic Laboratory, and the Naval Dockyard (Visakhapatnam). Habitability improvements have been influenced by practices from training ships such as INS Tarangini and standards promulgated by institutions like the Directorate of Naval Design.

Upgrades and Modifications

Throughout her service life the vessel has been modified in line with modernization efforts similar to upgrades under Project Seabird and retrofits seen on patrol fleets participating in programs like Operation Neptune. Refits have included sensor refreshes comparable to upgrades on Kora-class corvette electronics, weapon mount replacements following procurement patterns by the Defence Research and Development Organisation, and integration of communication suites compatible with Naval Cooperation and Guidance for Shipping procedures. Periodic overhauls have used facilities associated with Mazagon Dock Limited and Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers to maintain readiness for littoral tasks.

Category:Indian Navy ships Category:Patrol vessels of India Category:Ships built in India