INS KOCHI arrived at Port Al-Jubail for first India-Saudi bilateral Navel exercises
text_fieldsSaudi Arabia: INS KOCHI, the flagship destroyer of the Indian Western Naval Fleet, arrived at Port Al-Jubail on Monday (9 August 2021) marks a new chapter in the growing bilateral defence ties between India and Saudi Arabia.
Upon its arrival on Monday, the ship was given a warm welcome by officials of the Royal Saudi Naval Forces, Border Guards and the Indian Embassy.
The ship during its stay at the port will be following all laid down COVID Protocols, according to the statement issued by the Indian Embassy in Riyadh.
'AL-MOHED AL-HINDI 2021' comprises a number of shore and sea-based exercises between the two friendly Navies.
INS KOCHI, an indigenously designed and built Kolkata class stealth guided missile destroyer, by Mazagaon Dock Limited, Mumbai was commissioned on 30 September 2015 and is one of the most potent warships in its class.
The ship incorporates new design concepts for stealth and has many firsts to her credit, including a large component of indigenous combat suites.
The Ship can be truly classified as a 'Network of Networks' as it is equipped with sophisticated digital networks, besides a sophisticated array of state of art weapons and sensors to neutralise any threat from the air, sea and underwater.
The unique feature of the ship is the high level of indigenisation achieved with most of the systems onboard sourced from within the country. Some of the other major indigenised systems onboard INS KOCHI include the Electronic Warfare Suite, Foldable Hangar Doors, Helo Traversing System and the Ship's Stabilisers.
INS KOCHI derives her name from the vibrant Indian port city of Kochi in South India. This is a tribute to the city's distinct maritime character and symbolises the special bond between the Indian Navy and the city of Kochi.
The ship's crest depicts a sword and a shield together with a Snake Boat riding on the blue and white ocean waves, which symbolise the Malabar region's rich maritime heritage and martial traditions. The ship in the past has taken part in joint exercises with various friendly foreign Navies.