INS Tarkash

26-08-2023

12:15 PM

1 min read

Prelims: Defence & Security

Overview:

INS Tarkash from the Indian Navy recently reached Port Sudan to help in the evacuation of stranded Indians as part of “Operation Kaveri”.

About INS Tarkash:

It is a state-of-the-art stealth frigate of the Indian Navy equipped with a versatile range of weapons.
Tarkash belongs to the Talwar class of guided missile frigates. These are modified Krivak III class frigates built by Russia.
It was built by the Yantar shipyard in Kaliningrad, Russia.
It was commissioned into Indian Navy service on 9 November 2012 at Kaliningrad and joined the Western Naval Command on 27 December 2012.
Features:
It has a length of 124.8 m, a beam of 15.2 m, and a draught of 4.2 m (13 ft 9 in).
Top Speed: 32 knots (59 km/h; 37 mph).
It has been equipped with a weapon sensor that enables it to address threats in all dimensions.
It uses stealth technologies and a special hull design to ensure a reduced radar cross-section.
It can board one Ka-28 Helix-A antisubmarine helicopter or one Ka-31 Helix-B airborne early warning helicopter,
It is also equipped with BrahMos missiles instead of the Klub-N missiles, which makes it different from the earlier flight of Talwar-class ships.

Key Facts about “Operation Kaveri”:

It is a rescue operation being carried out by the Indian Government to bring back Indian citizens stranded in Sudan.
According to the official data, the number of Indians in Sudan is around 4,000.
Why the need for evacuation? Sudan has been witnessing deadly fighting between the country's army and a paramilitary group, the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), that has reportedly left several hundred’s dead.
Cause of fighting? It was triggered by disagreement over an internationally backed plan to form a new civilian government four years after the fall of autocrat Omar al-Bashir and two years after the military coup. Both sides accuse the other of thwarting the transition.

Q1) What are frigates and destroyers?

Frigates and destroyers are two of the most common warships in a navy’s fleet. Both are designed for quick maneuverability and can be used to escort and protect larger vessels from air, surface and underwater threats.

Source: Top news of the day: India sends third ship to Port Sudan to evacuate Indians; P.T. Usha accuses protesting wrestlers of tarnishing India’s image, and more