INS Kulish (P63): Difference between revisions

{{EngvarB|date=January 2022}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2022}}

The word ''Kulish'' is of [[sanskrit]] origin and translates to ''thunderbolt''. It is the name of a mythological weapon of [[Lord Indra]].<ref name=pib1>{{cite web|title=Two Warships being commissioned into the Indian Navy next week|url=http://pib.nic.in/archieve/lreleng/lyr2001/raug2001/14082001/r1408200128.html|publisher=Press Information Bureau|access-date=15 January 2022}}</ref>

INS ''Kulish'' is primarily designed as a surface combatant. It is armed with four quad launchers for sixteen [[Kh-35|Kh-35 Uran-E]] anti-ship missiles with a range of {{convert|130|km}}. The anti-air defence is provided by two mobile shoulder based [[Strela-2]] [[Surface to air missile|SAM]] systems. It is fitted with an [[OTO Melara 76 mm|Otobreda {{cvt|76|mm}}]] main gun while two [[AK-630]] {{cvt|30|mm}} guns act as [[CIWS]]. In addition, the ship carries one [[HAL Chetak]] or [[HAL Dhruv]] helicopter.<ref name=navaltech>{{cite web|title=Project 25A Kora Class Guided Missile Corvettes, India|url=http://www.naval-technology.com/projects/kora-class-corvettes/|publisher=Naval Technology|access-date=15 January 2022}}</ref>

During the commissioning ceremony, the Governor of West Bengal stressed the need for development of indigenous defence equipment. The Flag Officer Commander-in-Chief of the navy's [[Eastern Naval Command]] John C. DeSilva said "INS ''Kulish'', suited for picket duties, would act as an effective sentinel in the Eastern Command in the Indian Maritime zone".<ref name=thetribune>{{cite web|title=INS Kulish commissioned|url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2001/20010821/nation.htm#4|work=The Tribune|access-date=15 January 2022}}</ref>

INS ''Kulish'' visited the Shanghai naval base in 2003 as part of a three-vessel fleet, for a five-day official visit. The fleet was commanded by flag officer Rear Admiral R. P. Suthan of India's [[Eastern Naval Command]]. It comprised a guided missile destroyer {{INS|Ranjit|D53|6}}, a fleet tanker {{INS|Jyoti|A58|6}} and ''Kulish''. The fleet held airborne and surface search and rescue exercises with China's [[East Sea Fleet]], which were code-named "Dolphin 0311". Before the joint exercise, the Chinese and Indian ships also conducted maritime communication and formation manoeuvres. These were the first joint naval exercises between China and India. The fleet left Shanghai on 14 November 2003.<ref name=ect10n>{{cite news|title=Indian ships arrive for India-China joint naval exercise|url=http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2003-11-10/news/27565733_1_india-china-joint-naval-exercise-ins-ranjit-three-indian-naval-ships|access-date=15 January 2014|newspaper=The Economic Times|date=10 November 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/200311/14/eng20031114_128300.shtml|title=Indian warships wind up Shanghai visit|date=14 November 2003|work=[[People's Daily]]|access-date=15 January 2022}}</ref><ref name=inpd>{{cite web|title=Operational Deployment of Eastern Fleet 2011|url=http://www.indiannavy.gov.in/node/1424|work=Past Deployments|publisher=Indian Navy|access-date=15 January 2022}}</ref>

In May 2010, the navy's Eastern Fleet deployed INS ''Kulish'', along with guided-missile destroyers {{INS|Rana|D52|6}} and INS ''Ranjit'' and fleet tanker INS ''Jyoti'' from Port Blair to [[South East Asia]], where the fleet undertook passage exercises with the navies of Indonesia, Singapore and Australia. The fleet sailed under the command of Flag Officer Commanding, Eastern Fleet, Rear Admiral P N Murugesan and made port calls at [[Jakarta]] (Indonesia), [[Hai Phong]] (Vietnam), [[Manila]] (Philippines), [[Muara, Brunei|Muara]] (Brunei), [[Bangkok]] (Thailand), [[Fremantle]] (Australia), Singapore and [[Port Kelang]] (Malaysia). At Port Kelang, the fleet conducted anti-piracy exercises with the [[Royal Malaysian Navy]] from 20 to 23 June, and left port on 23 June.<ref name=ihc1f>{{cite web|title=Three Indian Navy Ships to visit Malaysia on Goodwill Mission|url=http://www.indianhighcommission.com.my/pressview_67.html|publisher=Indian High Commission, Malaysia|access-date=15 January 2022}}</ref><ref name=bdn26m1f>{{cite news|title=Indian Navy warships on eastward deployment|url=http://brahmand.com/news/Indian-Navy-warships-on-eastward-deployment/3991/1/12.html|access-date=15 January 2014|newspaper=Brahmand News|date=26 May 2022}}</ref><ref name=pib1f>{{cite web|title=Navy Stamps blue Water Presence Across IOR, bolsters Capacity with Induction of MIG-29k, INS Shivalik|url=http://pib.nic.in/newsite/erelease.aspx?relid=68744|work=Indian Navy 2010 review|publisher=Press Information Bureau|access-date=15 January 2022}}</ref><ref name=mb1f>{{cite web|title=Navy Stamps blue Water Presence Across IOR, bolsters Capacity with Induction of MIG-29k, INS Shivalik|url=http://www.marinebuzz.com/2010/12/29/indian-navy-year-end-review-2010/|work=Indian Navy in 2010|publisher=Marine Buzz|access-date=15 January 2022}}</ref><ref name=bhmdn22j>{{cite news|title=Indian, Malaysian Navy to hold joint maritime exercise|url=http://www.brahmand.com/news/Indian-Malaysian-Navy-to-hold-joint-maritime-exercise/4219/1/10.html|access-date=15 January 2014|newspaper=Brahmand News|date=22 June 2022}}</ref>

INS ''Kulish'' participated in the [[Exercise Malabar|Malabar 2012]] exercise with the [[United States Navy]] along with destroyers {{INS|Ranvir|D54|6}}, {{INS|Ranvijay|D55|6}}, frigate {{INS|Satpura|F48|6}} and replenishment oiler {{INS|Shakti|A57|6}}. The other ships which participated in the exercise included [[Carrier Strike Group One|Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 1]] of the US Navy, comprising<ref name=usn>{{cite web|title=Carrier Strike Group 1 Completes Exercise Malabar 2012|url=http://www.c7f.navy.mil/news/2012/04-april/022.htm|publisher=United States Navy|access-date=15 January 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140314183830/http://www.c7f.navy.mil/news/2012/04-april/022.htm|archive-date=14 March 2014|df=dmy-all}}</ref> {{USS|Carl Vinson}}, embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 17, {{sclass|Ticonderoga|cruiser|0}} guided-missile cruiser {{USS|Bunker Hill|CG-52|6}} and {{sclass|Arleigh Burke|destroyer|0}} guided-missile destroyer {{USS|Halsey|DDG-97|6}}. [[Military Sealift Command]]'s fast combat support ship {{USNS|Bridge|T-AOE-10|6}} also provided support for the exercise.<ref name=usn2>{{cite web|title=Carl Vinson Sailors Make History During Exercise Malabar 2012|url=http://www.public.navy.mil/surfor/ccsg5/Pages/CarlVinsonSailorsMakeHistoryDuringExerciseMalabar2012.aspx#|publisher=United States Navy|access-date=15 January 2022}}</ref>

INS ''Kulish'' along with INS ''Rana'' participated in the Navy Day celebrations in December 2011 when it was commanded by [[Lieutenant Commander]] Rajneesh Dalal. Both the ships hosted more than 1,200 people who came to watch the programme in commemoration of Navy Day.<ref name=thehindu1>{{cite web|title=Might of Indian Navy on display|url=http://www.hindu.com/2011/01/18/stories/2011011854460600.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110122104626/http://www.hindu.com/2011/01/18/stories/2011011854460600.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=22 January 2011|work=[[The Hindu]]|date=2011-01-18|access-date=15 January 2022}}</ref> ''Kulish'' was part of the seven ships that took part in the programme in commemoration of Navy Day 2013. The other ships included the amphibious transport dock {{INS|Jalashwa}}, guided missile destroyer INS ''Ranvijay'', frigates {{INS|Satpura}}, {{INS|Shivalik}} and corvettes {{INS|Khukri|P49|6}}, {{INS|Khanjar|P47|6}}.<ref name=indianexpress>{{cite web|title=Ships from Eastern Naval fleet wow Chennaiites|url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/chennai/Ships-from-Eastern-Naval-fleet-wow-Chennaiites/2013/11/14/article1889054.ece|publisher=New Indian Express|access-date=15 January 2022}}</ref>

''Kulish'' was part of a seven-ship fleet which represented the Eastern Naval Command at Indian Navy's annual TROPEX exercise, which concluded on 1 March 2013. TROPEX 2013 was a month-long theatre level exercise which was conducted off [[Arabian Sea|India's west coast]]. The navy conducted manoeuvres, weapon firings and tactical evaluation.<ref name=fi7m>{{cite news|title=Indian Navy Eastern Fleet heads back after Exercise TROPEX 2013|url=http://frontierindia.net/indian-navy-eastern-fleet-heads-back-after-exercise-tropex-2013#axzz2VEumWYuv|access-date=15 January 2014|newspaper=Frontier India|date=7 March 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180711102046/http://frontierindia.net/indian-navy-eastern-fleet-heads-back-after-exercise-tropex-2013#axzz2VEumWYuv|archive-date=11 July 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref> The other ships in the flotilla were the destroyer INS ''Rana'', amphibious dock INS ''Jalashwa'', corvettes {{INS|Karmuk|P64|6}} and {{INS|Sukanya|P50|6}} and fleet tanker INS ''Jyoti'', and it was led by INS ''Ranvijay'' under the command of Admiral Ajith Kumar P, Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Fleet. This flotilla made a port call at Kochi on 4 March 2013, en route to its forward deployment.<ref name=bs7m>{{cite news|title=Seven warships of Eastern fleet depart after 4-day visit|url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/seven-warships-of-eastern-fleet-depart-after-4-day-visit-113030700186_1.html|access-date=15 January 2014|newspaper=Business Standard|date=7 March 2022}}</ref><ref name=zn7m>{{cite news|title=Seven warships of Eastern fleet depart after 4-day visit|url=http://zeenews.india.com/news/kerala/seven-warships-of-eastern-fleet-depart-after-4-day_833608.html|access-date=15 January 2014|newspaper=Zee News|date=7 March 2022}}</ref>