Page 303 - SSB Interview: The Complete Guide, Second Edition

formally commissioned on 16 November 2013 at a ceremony held at
Severodvinsk, Russia.

Amphibious Vessels

57. The Indian Navy has an amphibious transport dock of the Austin class,

re-christened as INS JALASHWA in service. Besides, it also maintains

a fleet of landing ship tanks and other landing crafts. It is expected that
four amphibious assault ships will join service along with eight landing

craft vessels in the near future.

Destroyers and Frigates

58. The Indian Navy currently operates the DELHI and RAJPUT class
guided-missile destroyers. The Delhi and Rajput class destroyers will be

replaced by the next-generation Kolkata class. Eleven destroyers are in

service with the Navy.

59. Frigates are warships intended to protect other warships and merchant
marine ships. They are operationally deployed for anti-submarine, anti-

aircraft and anti-surface roles. They are also employed to protect

amphibious expeditionary forces, replenishment groups and merchant
convoys. Frigates are smaller than destroyers. India has 14 frigates.

Corvettes

60. A corvette is a very fast, manoeuvrable, lightly armed warship. It is

smaller than a frigate. A corvette is the smallest vessel to be considered

a proper warship. Some corvettes may reach the size of a small frigate.
India has 22 corvettes. The Indian Navy currently operates the Kora,

Khukri, Veer and Abhay class corvettes.

Fleet Tankers

61. The Indian Navy currently operates four replenishment tankers. They
are the Jyoti Class Tankers, INS Aditya and the new Deepak class fleet

tankers. The Deepak class tankers will be the mainstay of the

replenishment fleet until the first half of the twenty-first century.