INS Super Dvora FAC T-80 24 Jun 1998

                                      INS Super Dvora FAC T-80 24 Jun 1998

The IN Extra Fast Attack Craft (XFAC) is a state of the art Extra Fast Attack Craft, built by the Goa shipyard Ltd (GSL) in collaboration with Israel Aircraft Industries and Ramta of Israel. The ship is based on the design of Israeli Super Dvora Mk II.

The Extra Fast Attack Craft (XFAC) is designed for putting to sea in the shortest possible time for day-night coastal surveillance and reconnaissance, co-ordinated Sea-Air search and Rescue operations (SAR), beach insertion/ extraction of commando forces and high speed interception of small maneuverable intruder craft over territorial waters. The ship is capable of conducting day and night surveillance, detection and destruction of intruding craft from the sea.

This platform will further reinforce the coastal reconnaissance capabilities of the Indian Navy. It shall also be very effective in the existing. Low Intensity Maritime Operations scenario, protection of coastal installations, offshore platforms, anti-terrorism operations and defence of ports and harbors. It is the smallest with a displacement of 60 Tons and would be the fastest combatant in the Navy till date. This Attack Craft can also be used for inducting & de-inducting commandos or special forces. This attack craft is so designed that it can be put to sea in the shortest possible time for day-night coastal surveillance and reconnaissance.

The craft is purpose designed to carry state-of-the-art electro-optic detection system and armament capable of being slaved to the optronics such as to enable the craft to accurately destroy small high-speed crafts and engage light shore defence. It possesses two MK-20 Naval Stabilized Gun System 20-mm Oerlikon rapid-fire guns on both ends that can fire upto a range of 4 km, 1inked to an electro-optic detection and tracking systems capable of tracking and engaging water-borne saboteurs even in pitch dark conditions.

The XFAC is provided with the latest hull structural, hydrodynamic and propulsion features to achieve excellent shallow water capability, manoeuvrability. The craft displaces 50 tons. Being only 25 meters-long and of light weight aluminum construction, the ship can attain a phenomenal speed of 48 knots. Besides, the vessel can also be fitted with an array of weaponry including surface-to-surface missiles. The ASD propulsion system option provides the craft with the excellent shallow water capability, including beaching, exceptional maneuvering and survivability, high redundancy. It has the most modern structural, hydrodynamic & propulsion features. The vessel is propelled by two MTU engines which drives two "articulated surface drive" and "Surface piercing propellers". This combination is of aluminum, enables the craft to achieve its maximum sustained speed under normal weather conditions. The first two XFAC (Extra Fast Attack Craft) were ordered from Ramta, IAI on 02 December 1996.

Indian Navy's extra fast attack craft (INFACAT) T-82, an Israel-built ship, was commissioned by Vice Admiral Arun Prakash, the then FOC-in-C, Western Naval Command at an impressive ceremony held at the Naval Dockyard, Mumbai in late 2003. The ship joined the other two fast attack craft of the Western Naval Command.

Navy's coastal defence capabilities would be greatly strengthened by the addition of a sizeable number of fast attack craft. These would also be used to protect offshore platforms like Bombay High. The ships of this class are ideal for patrolling and search and rescue missions. T-82 has been built by Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI).

T-82 has a state-of-the-art typhoon weapon system and has a unique propulsion system. Her powerful engines enable her to sprint at high speeds to enhance her offensive role. The ship can cruise in excess of 35 knots (68 km/h). She is an ideal for her role in stealth, strike and scoot. She has a very shallow draught (area below waterline) which makes it ideal for entering areas where bigger Naval vessels cannot enter.

With the hoisting of colours, Rashtriya salute and breaking of Commissioning Pennat at the last bar of the national anthem, saw the induction of the fastest Craft to the Indian Navy till today . At a colourful function held at Goa Shipyard on 14th January "the Extra Fast Attack Craft -T-83" built by Goa Shipyard Limited for Indian Navy was commissioned by VAdm P.C Bhasin, PVSM, AVSM, VSM Chief of Material,, Indian Navy.

Present also for the function on the occasion was VAdm P Jaitly, PVSM, AVSM, VSM ,Controller of Warship Production & Acquisition, Indian Navy, RAdm Sampath Pillaii (Retd.), AVSM Chairman and Managing Director of GSL, RAdm.S Mahapatra Director, NSTL, Eastern Naval Command, RAdm S K Damle NM, VSM Flag Officer Commanding Goa Naval Area, RAdm G Mahadevan, VSM,CSO(T) for Eastern Naval Command and other dignitaries from State and Centre will be present for the ocassion.. In his opening address the Chairman and Managing Director of GSL hailed the efforts of GSL employees in meeting the delivery target of launching this vessel five and half months before schedule and reiterated that the second vessel of the same type will also be handed over to Indian Navy in March2004, six months ahead of the schedule. "We are naturally delighted and proud of this achievement and we are confident that this pace of work is going to continue along the same lines for all future ships that GSL will be building", RAdm Pillai said.

In his inaugural address the Chief Guest of the function VAdm P.C. Bhasin said that the Navy had embarked on its indigenous warship production programme nearly four decades ago. Since then the Navy has grown manifolds from the small flotilla that it inherited in 1947 to the present day formidable state of the art three-dimensional Navy. This has been possible due to the deep bondage between the Navy, Shipyards and Industry and this alone has helped in realising the cherished dream of self reliance. The Commissioning of this vessel marked a kaleidoscopic beginning with the Naval band playing the rhythm to mark the auspicious beginning of the function followed by Guard of honour given to the Chief Guest of the function VAdm PC Bhasin on his arrival.

XFAC-T-83 is the 3rd in series being built by GSL in collaboration with IAI Ramta of Israel. With commissioning of this Craft, Goa Shipyard has become the first Shipyard in the Country to have made the fastest Craft for the Defense sector.

It was a proud moment when the ship's colors were raised for the first time on April 19, 2004. The occasion was the commissioning of one of the country's fastest, finest and the most modern warships in terms of construction and technology-T-84. An 45-knot Extra Fast Attack Craft (XFAC), T-84, was commissioned into Indian Navy on April 19 last at Chennai Port by Vice Admiral OP Bansal, FOC-in-C, Eastern Naval Command. Built by Goa Shipyard Ltd, T-84 is the fifth of its type for the Indian Navy and the second of its kind for the Eastern Naval Command.

This fast attack craft, the third to be built indigenously, was delivered to the Navy five-and-a-half months ahead of schedule. GSL has built this craft in a record time span of fifteen months. The ship joined the naval fleet in Chennai under the command of Naval Officer-in-charge, Tamil Nadu, Cmde T Hari.

Speaking on the occasion, Vice Admiral Bansal said: "T-84 with its fast attack capabilities would play a vital role in undertaking quick reaction patrol along the coast. It is an ideal platform for conduct of special operations. Its high speed makes it the fastest surface ship in the Navy's inventory. This would greatly facilitate its quick reaction capabilities".