Context
To strengthen maritime cooperation between India and the Maldives, an Indian Navy fast attack craft, INS Kalpeni, recently arrived at Gan in the Addu Atoll.
About INS Kalpeni
- INS Kalpeni is a fast attack craft of the Indian Navy designed for quick and agile coastal operations.
- It is named after Kalpeni Island in Lakshadweep.
- The ship was inducted into service on 14th October 2010.
- It is part of the Fleet Car Nicobar class, a group of 10 waterjet-powered fast attack vessels built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata.
- The vessel operates under the Southern Naval Command based in Kochi and is mainly used for safeguarding coastal areas.
- Its roles include monitoring maritime traffic, preventing illegal activities at sea, and assisting in rescue missions.
- For combat capability, it is equipped with a 30 mm main gun with an advanced targeting system, along with multiple machine guns and shoulder-fired air defence missiles for protection against aerial threats.
