Kamal Ghorui
NEW DELHI: Indian naval cadets will now get dedicated “floating classrooms” at sea as the Indian Navy has launched ‘INS Krishna’, the first in a new series of indigenous three cadet training ships (CTS).Unlike earlier when training opportunities at sea were limited, these “dedicated floating classrooms and living labs” have been designed to provide cadets with hands-on experience in navigation, seamanship and watch-keeping in real-world sea conditions. The three ships, which will serve as the backbone of the Navy’s sea training infrastructure for the next 30 years, will host trainees soon after they complete their basic training ashore.In keeping with the Naval traditions, Anupama Chauhan, wife of CDS General Anil Chauhan, launched INS Krishna in the presence of the CDS and senior officials of the armed forces and ship-builder Larsen & Toubro (L&T). INS Krishna (designated ‘Yard 18003)’, which was constructed at the L&T shipyard in Kattupalli near Chennai, is planned for formal delivery and operational availability to the Navy by year-end.The ships will also be used for training cadets from friendly foreign countries, enhancing India’s defence cooperation. In addition to training, these ships can be used for non-combatant evacuation operations, humanitarian aid and disaster relief, and search-and-rescue operations.Krishna can accommodate 20 officers, 150 sailors and 200 cadets simultaneously. It has three classrooms (70 cadets each), a dedicated training bridge, and a chart house. With a displacement of approximately 4,700 tonnes, it can attain a maximum speed of 20 knots with an endurance of 60 days at sea.
