INS Chennai (D65), a Kolkata-class stealth guided missile destroyer also armed with BrahMos land attack and anti-ship cruise missiles, was commissioned into the Indian Navy after 10 years of building.

She is the third and last of the three ship Kolkata-class commissioned into the Navy. Her sister ships are the INS Kolkata (D63) commissioned in 2014 and the INS Kochi (D64) commissioned in 2015. The three warships, the most modern in the IN and superior to most destroyers in other navies, were all built under a program called Project 15A at Mazagon Dock Limited (MDL).

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As for weapons, Chennai is armed with a vertical launch system (VLS) outfitted with 32 surface-to-air (SAM) missiles and 16 cells for the BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles with a range close to 300 km.

She also carries one 76 mm gun and four AK-630 close-in weapon system (CIWS) turrets for anti-aircraft and anti-missile use. Each turret mounts a six barreled 30 mm autocannon capable of firing up to 10,000 rounds per minute.

China's equivalent of the Kolkata-class are her Type 052D guided missile destroyers, of which four are have been commissioned out of a planned fleet of 12.

These warships operated by the People's Liberation Army Navy Surface Force each carry a 130 mm deck gun and 64 VLS cells with a mix of SAM, cruise missiles, anti-submarine missiles and anti-ship missiles.

A Type 052D also carries 24 HHQ-10 short range SAMs (the equivalent of the U.S. Navy's RAM or Rolling Airframe Missile system) and one H/PJ-12 CIWS with a seven-barreled 30 mm autocannon.

INS Chennai was commissioned into the Indian Navy on Nov. 21 in the presence of Indian Defense Minister Manohar Parrikar.

"It is a very historic day. Very important for maritime security," said Parrikar.

"The induction of INS Chennai is an important milestone. It sets new bench mark for our ship making."

He said Mazagon Dock Limited is delivering very good products to the Indian Navy.

"The shipyard is going to make 75 submarines and we have a very long way to go to achieve complete self-reliance. Ship building and shipyard is part of infrastructure. We need to ensure development and research are done at right time."

"I wish the officers the very best of luck and set course in nation building and nation stands behind you."

The INS Chennai has been assigned to the Western Naval Command based in Mumbai whose flagship is the aircraft carrier, INS Viraat.

TagsINS Chennai, Indian Navy, Kolkata-class stealth guided missile destroyer, INS Kolkata, INS Kochi, Manohar Parrikar, Western Naval Command