INS Sumedha

About INS Sumedha

• INS Sumedha is the third ship of the indigenously built Saryu class Naval Offshore Patrol Vessels (NOPV).
• It was indigenously designed and built by Goa Shipyard Limited.
• It was commissioned into the Indian Navy on 07 Mar 2014.
• It is part of the Indian Navy's Eastern Fleet based at Visakhapatnam.
• Primary Functions: To undertake EEZ surveillance, anti-piracy patrols, fleet support operations, provide maritime security to offshore assets and carry out escort operations for high-value assets.
• Features:
• It has a displacement of 2,230 tons and measures 105 meters in length and 12.9 meters in beam.
• It is fitted with a state-of-the-art weapon and sensor package. 
• It can carry an Advanced Light Combat Helicopter onboard.
• The ship is propelled by two diesel engines, the largest of their kind ever deployed in the Indian Navy, which allow it to reach a top speed of 25 knots.
• With a range of 6,000 nautical miles(11,000 km) at 16 knots (30 km/h), the offshore patrol vessel is suitable for extended missions and operations.

Key Facts about Exercise Bright Star-23:

• It is a biennial multinational tri-service exercise.
• It is conducted in northern Egypt and led by the US and Egyptian armed forces.
• It is the largest ever joint military exercise in Middle East and North Africa region.
• Since its inception in 1980, it has occurred 18 times.
• This edition of the exercise saw participation from 34 countries, including India. 

Q1: What is an Exclusive economic zone (EEZ)?

An Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) is a maritime zone defined by international law that extends beyond a country's territorial waters and gives the country special rights to explore and exploit the natural resources within that zone. The concept of an EEZ was established through the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which was adopted in 1982 and came into force in 1994. It is an area of the ocean, generally extending 200 nautical miles (230 miles) beyond a nation's territorial sea.

Source: Egypt: INS Sumedha participates with several navies in Exercise Bright Star-23