On June 3, 2022, the Indian Naval Ship (INS), ‘Nishank'(K43), 4th of Veer Class Missile Corvette Killers and ‘INS Akshay'(P35), Abhay class corvette were decommissioned during a ceremony conducted at Naval Dockyard in Mumbai, Maharashtra wherein the National Flag, Naval Ensign and Decommissioning Pennant of the two ships were lowered for the last time at sunset.
- Both ships rendered more than 32 years of glorious service to the nation.
Background of INS Nishank & INS Akshay:
i.INS Nishank, was a high speed missile craft commissioned on September 12, 1989,while INS Akshay was commissioned on December 10, 1990 at Poti, Georgia.
ii.INS Nishank and INS Akshay were part of the 22 Missile Vessel Squadron and 23 Patrol Vessel Squadron, respectively, under the operational control of Flag Officer Commanding, Maharashtra Naval Area.
iii.They participated in several naval operations, including Operation Talwar during the Kargil War; and Operation Parakram, that was launched consequent to the Parliament attack in 2001.
iv.INS Nishank was also deployed post the Uri attacks when tensions between India and Pakistan were high.
v.INS Nishank will be displayed at a historic location as a war relic.
Points to be noted:
i.The Chief of Naval Staff (CNS)Admiral Radhakrishnan Hari Kumar commanded INS Nishank from 1995-96.
ii.M.Gopinath took over the command of INS Akshay in May 1996.
- In a rare coincidence, M. Gopinath’s father MG Nair had commanded the ship in its erstwhile avatar from 1966-68.
iii.As per naval traditions, whenever a ship is decommissioned, a new ship is commissioned with the same name.
Recent Related News:
i.The President of India, Ram Nath Kovind, bestowed the Indian Naval Ship (INS) Valsura with the prestigious President’s Colour at the ceremony held at Jamnagar in Gujarat. The President’s Colour is awarded to a military unit in honour of outstanding service to the country in both peace and war.
ii.On March 29, 2022, the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS) Admiral Radhakrishnan Hari Kumar commissioned a second P-8I aircraft squadron of four aircraft named ‘Indian Naval Air Squadron (INAS) 316’ at the INS (Indian Naval Ship) Hansa Naval air base in Goa.
About Indian Navy:
Founded– 26 January 1950
Headquarters– Integrated Defence Headquarters, Ministry of Defence, New Delhi, Delhi
