As part of ‘Mission Sagar-II’, Indian Naval Ship Airavat entered Port Sudan on 02 November 2020. The Government of India is providing assistance to Friendly Foreign Countries to overcome natural calamities and COVID-19 pandemic, and towards the same INS Airavat is carrying a consignment of 100 Tonnes of food aid for the people of Sudan.
What is Mission Sagar II ?
Mission Sagar-II, follows the first ‘Mission Sagar’ undertaken in May-June 2020, when India reached out to Maldives, Mauritius, Seychelles, Madagascar and Comoros, and provided food aid and medicines. As part of Mission Sagar-II, Indian Naval Ship Airavat will deliver food aid to Sudan, South Sudan, Djibouti and Eritrea.
Mission Sagar-II, is in line with the Prime Minister’s vision of Security and Growth for All in the Region ‘SAGAR’ and highlights the importance accorded by India to relations with her maritime neighbours and further strengthens the existing bond. The Indian Navy is progressing this mission in close coordination with the Ministries of Defence and External Affairs, and other agencies of the Government of India.
INS Airavat
INS Airavat, commissioned in 2009, is a tank landing ship primarily designed for amphibious operations. An upgrade of the Magar Class, the First LST (L)) and is the fifth LST (L) of the Indian Navy and third of the Shardul class.
- Equipment, capabilities
- Two indigenous WM 18A Rocket Launchers
- Chaff Rockets to clutter the sensory inputs of an incoming enemy aircraft or missile
- Two indigenous CRN 91 Anti-Aircraft Guns auto-controlled by Optronic Sights
- Shoulder launched IGLA Surface to Air Missiles
- Microprocessor based anti-roll Flume Stabilisation System
- Smoke Curtains to impede spreading of smoke and toxic gases in case of fire onboard
- Can carry 10 Main Battle Tanks, 11 Combat Trucks and 500 Troops
- Can operate Seaking 42C, indigenous Dhruv helicopters
- Can operate independently at high seas for as long as 45 days
- Also has fully integrated, microprocessor based
- Remote Propulsion Control
- Battle Damage Control System
- Automated Power Management System
- Suitable for
- HADR (Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief) missions during natural calamities like tsunami, cyclone, earthquake etc.
- Amphibious operations
- Assault operations
- Hospital ship
- Fleet Tanker through stern refueling of other naval vessels
- Most of the equipment supplied by PSUs like Bharat Electronics Medak, HAL, Keltron and private sector companies like Larsen and Toubro, Kirloskar, Godrej.