The ship, propelled by three powerful water jets that can achieve speed in excess of 35 knots, is expected to bolster capabilities of its Southern Naval Command in coastal surveillance as well as search and destruction of fast moving targets.

An improved version of its Bangaram Class FAC, INS Kalpeni will operate under the Flag Officer Commanding in Chief based here. The ship with nearly 95 percent indigenous content was completed building in 24 months.

Kalpeni is the seventh of a batch of 10 ships being built with the main armament of 30mm CRN 91 gun with an Optronic Pedestal Sight as its director. In addition, the ship has 11 machine guns of various types and shoulder-launched IGLA surface-to-air missiles to neutralize aerial threats.

With a crew of three officers and 38 sailors onboard, it was commissioned by Justice Jasti Chelameswar, Chief Justice of Kerala High Court, who said even peace loving nations have to negotiate the terms of peace from a position of strength.

Vice-Admiral K.N. Sushil, Flag officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Southern Naval Command, said the commissioning of the ship formed part of the coastal security apparatus as pirates appeared to have slowly shifted their operations close to India’s Lakshadweep and Minicoy islands.