INS Bitra (T66), the second ship of Bangaram-class patrol vessel of the Indian Navy, is designed for interdiction against fast moving surface vessels and for search-and-rescue operations in coastal areas and in the exclusive economic zone. Named after Bitra atoll in Lakshadweep, the vessel was designed and built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers. The diesel generators on board are supplied by Cummins India. The electronic equipment on board including satellite communication and global positioning systems is from Bharat Electronics Limited, ECIL and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited. Rear Admiral Sanjay Vadgaokar commissioned the fast attack ship in Vasco da Gama, Goa on 28 March 2006.[2]
| Class overview | |
|---|---|
| Name | INS Bitra |
| Builders | Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers |
| Operators |  Indian Navy |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | Patrol vessels |
| Displacement | 260 tons (full load)[1] |
| Length | 46 m (151 ft) |
| Beam | 7.5 m (25 ft) |
| Propulsion | 2 × MTU 4000 M90 engines (7492hp) |
| Speed | 30 knots (56 km/h) |
| Complement | 33 |
| Armament | 1 × CRN-91 (2A42 Medak) 30mm gun |
Operations
editIn December 2016 INS Bitra was operationally deployed to rescue 800 tourists together with INS Bangaram, INS Kumbhir (L22) and LCU 38 from Havelock Island and ferry them to Port Blair as a result of a severe cyclonic storm in the Bay of Bengal.[3]
In February 2016 together with INS Saryu visited Yangon in Myanmar on an official port visit.[4]
References
edit- ^ "Bangaram class". Bharat-Rakshak.com. Retrieved 30 September 2014.
- ^ "Indian Navy commissions INS Bitra".
- ^ "Havelock Island: Navy to Rescue 800 Tourists Stranded in Andaman".
- ^ "Two Indian warships call at Myanmar port".