Context:
- The Indian Navy commissioned INS Krishna, the first indigenously built Cadet Training Ship (CTS), designed to train naval officer cadets at sea.
Key Highlights:
About INS Krishna
- INS Krishna is the first of three indigenously built Cadet Training Ships (CTS) for the Indian Navy.
- Built at the L&T Shipyard, Kattupalli near Chennai.
- Designated as Yard 18003.
Purpose and Role
- Cadet Training Platform
- Used for training officer cadets after their basic shore training.
- Training includes:
- Navigation
- Seamanship
- Watchkeeping
- International Training Cooperation
- Can also train naval cadets from friendly foreign countries, enhancing defence diplomacy.
Floating Classroom Concept
- Ships function as “floating classrooms and living laboratories”, allowing cadets to gain practical maritime experience under real operational conditions.
Operational Capabilities
- Humanitarian and Disaster Response
- Capable of:
- Non-combatant evacuation operations (NEO)
- Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR)
- Search and Rescue missions
Technical Specifications
- Displacement: Approximately 4,700 tonnes
- Maximum Speed: 20 knots
- Endurance: 60 days at sea
Capacity
- 20 officers
- 150 sailors
- 200 cadets
Training Infrastructure
- Three classrooms, each accommodating 70 cadets.
- Equipped with:
- Training bridge
- Chart room
- Advanced navigation training facilities.
Relevant Prelims Points:
- INS Krishna
- India’s first indigenously built Cadet Training Ship (CTS).
- Built at L&T Shipyard, Kattupalli (Tamil Nadu).
- Key naval roles include:
- Cadet training
- Disaster relief
- Search and rescue missions.
- Knots is the standard unit of speed used in maritime navigation.
- Part of India’s broader push toward Aatmanirbhar Bharat in defence manufacturing.
Relevant Mains Points:
- Indigenisation in Defence
- Construction of naval platforms domestically strengthens India’s defence manufacturing ecosystem.
- Capacity Building in Naval Forces
- Dedicated training ships enhance professional training and operational preparedness of naval officers.
- Strategic and Diplomatic Role
- Training foreign cadets promotes defence diplomacy and maritime cooperation.
- Maritime Security
- Well-trained naval officers are critical for securing India’s maritime interests in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
- Industrial Development
- Shipbuilding projects stimulate domestic shipbuilding industries and technological innovation.
Way Forward
- Expand indigenous naval shipbuilding capacity.
• Integrate advanced simulation and AI-based maritime training systems.
• Strengthen international naval training collaborations.
UPSC Relevance:
- GS Paper III: Defence technology, indigenisation of military equipment, maritime security.