India's stealth frigate INS Sahyadri set sail for Australia

MELBOURNE: To boost naval ties with Australia, India's newly commissioned INS Sahyadri - a guided missile stealth frigate - will participate in the International Fleet Review ( IFR) to be held in Sydney this month.

During the IFR from October 4, the Shivalik-class multi- role frigate will participate in various exercises scheduled by Royal Australian Navy (RAN). It will also showcase India's indigenous capabilities in building frontline warships.

INS Sahyadri's participation in the IFR will serve to reinforce naval ties, and also contribute towards enhancing interoperability with the RAN and other participating navies, said an official statement.

The overarching aim of the visit is to strengthen the bonds of friendship and camaraderie between India and Australia who are pursuing a common destiny of peace and prosperity, the statement said.

Besides, the ship will make port calls at Fremantle and Jervis Bay, it said.

INS Sahyadri, commissioned in July last year, has a team of 24 officers and 250 sailors on board.

Its long range anti-ship missiles, medium and short range Surface to Air Missile augmented by the Medium Range gun and close in weapon system provide a formidable shield against air threats.

With two integral multi-role helicopters and anti submarine rockets, the vessel is also capable of thwarting sub-surface threats.

The ship's sensors provide an external surveillance umbrella ensuring early detection and classification of threats in all three dimensions - Air, Surface and Sub- Surface.