Nicobar-class troopship

Nicobar-class troopship
Class overview
BuildersSzczecin Shipyard
Operators India
Active2
General characteristics
TypeB561 type troopship [1]
Displacement19,000 long tons (19,305 t) full
Length144 m (472 ft 5 in)
Beam21 m (68 ft 11 in)
Draft6.7 m (22 ft 0 in)
PropulsionTwo Cegielski-B&W type 6L35MC diesels each rated at 2670 kW, driving two shafts for 5340 kW power.
Speed16 knots (30 km/h; 18 mph)
Complement119 design, 160 in practice
Aviation facilitiesHelipad for 1 helicopter

Nicobar-class troopships are large multi-role troopships converted from merchant ships which were originally ordered by the Ministry of Shipping for service with the Shipping Corporation of India. These were later acquired by the Indian Navy for troop transport duties. The ships include large davits for Landing Craft Vehicle Personnel (LCVP) and also feature high bridge forward, funnel in the aft and a helicopter platform at the stern. This makes the vessels suitable for general purpose roles, other than just troop transport. The design of the Type B-561 ships built by Szczecin Shipyard of Poland was also sold to India for licensed construction.[2][3][4]

Ships in the class

Ships in the class
Name Pennant No. Date of Launch Previous Name Date of Commission Date of Commission
(in Indian Navy)
Homeport Status
INS Nicobar Yard # B-561/1 12 April 1990 M.V.Harshvardhan [5] 5 June 1991 April 1998 Mumbai Active
INS Andamans Yard # B-561/2 5 October 1990 M.V.Nancowry 31 March 1992 April 2000 Active

The INS Andamans should not be confused with INS Andaman (P74), the Petya-class frigate that was lost in the Bay of Bengal in 1990 during a naval exercise [6] which were designated as Arnala-class corvettes due to their small size.

See also

References

  1. ^ "Nicobar Class Transport Ship".
  2. ^ "Nicobar Class".
  3. ^ "Nicobar Class Transport Ship".
  4. ^ Defense & Foreign Affairs Handbook. 2002. ISBN 9781892998064.
  5. ^ Verma, Khanna (September 2010). Ever Latest General Knowledge 2013. ISBN 9788174820259.
  6. ^ "In choppy waters".