INS Brahmaputra (F31)

History

INS Nigiri was the lead ship of the Indian Navy's Nilgiri class of frigates during the Cold War (1947-1991), which were significant in being the first large surface fighters built by India. Launched in India in 1972. From this experience was born the 1983 Godvari-class frigates, which were more or less modified Nigiri-class ships.

The genre has been further developed again, with a new initiative giving birth to the Brahmaputra class, which first appeared in the early 2000s. INS Brahmaputra (F31) became her capital ship and was soon joined by sisters INS Betwa (F39) and INS Beas (F37), which were commissioned in July 2004 and 2005 respectively.

INS Brahmaputra (F31) itself was commissioned on 14 April 2000. Nicknamed "Angry Rhino", she is currently active in the Indian Navy's fleet???. The Indian Navy relies on a total of fourteen frigates, including the Shivalik, Talwar and Godvari classes (Dec 2017).

INS Brahmaputra was built with a displacement of 3,850 tons, a bow-to-stern length of 414.7 feet, a beam of 47.6 feet, and a draft of 15 feet. Propulsion is via 2 x steam turbines producing 30,000 hp on 2 x shafts below the stern.

Under ideal conditions, the maximum speed can reach 30 knots, and the range can reach 4500 nautical miles. On board were up to 450 officers and soldiers, as well as a modest flight crew to maintain the helicopter arm.

Brahmaputra carries the BEL RAWS-03 air/ground search radar system and the BEL / Signal RAWL-02 air search radar. Navigation is aided by Decca "Bridgemaster"/BEL "Rashmi" PIN 524 serial radar. The crew also has access to the hull-mounted BEL HUMSA and Thales "Sintra" towed sonar arrays. The Electronic Warfare (EW) suite is led by the BEL Ajanta Mk 2C Fit and the ELLORA Support Measures Unit. A pair of chaff/flare launchers is also mentioned.

2 x Graesby G783 (or BEL TOTED) systems act as towed torpedo decoys.

Armaments are a mix of conventional and missile-guided weapons. A 76mm OTO-Melara deck gun with turret is mounted above the forecastle. 16 x Kh-35 Surface-to-Surface Missiles (SSM) between 4 x KT-184 series launchers. Three eight-bay Vertical Launch Systems (VLS) for 24 x Barak Surface-to-Air Missiles (SAM).

The 4 x 30mm AK-630 Close-In Weapon System (CIWS) protects against close-range aerial threats. 2 x RBU-6000 systems act as anti-submarine rocket (ASROC) units, and the warship completes its weapon suite with 2 x triple torpedo tubes.

The hull form utilizes some stealth features, such as the plate side hull structure incorporating some contours into the main superstructure. Part of her armor is above the first floor and the actual superstructure. The bridge is in its usual bow-facing position, and the main mast is located aft of the bridge section, in front of the flat smoke funnel amidships. After this is the auxiliary mast, which guides the hangar superstructure attached to the helipad.

The helipad can serve a medium Navy helicopter, usually featuring a Westland "Sea King" (see this website for details).

The Brahmaputra, a relatively new addition to the Indian Navy's inventory, is an advanced surface combatant with active search, pursuit and attack systems. To date, the ship has been used in local and international exercises at home and abroad, as well as humanitarian relief/rescue operations (such as Operation Sukoon as part of the 2006 Lebanon war).

In July 2009, she joined the European Task Forces of the Royal Navy and the French Navy in British and French waters.

On paper, the Brahmaputra class frigates have been replaced by the more advanced Talwar class, which are detailed elsewhere on this page.

Specification

Basic

Roles

Dimensions

Weight

Performance

Performance

Armor

Wing