2 Veer class corvettes, INS Nirbhik and Nirghat, retire

Two Veer-class corvettes Nirbhik and Nirghat was decommissioned at Naval Dockyard here on Thursday after nearly three decades of their service.

These ships of Killer squadron are inheritors of a proud legacy as their original avatars were flag bearers of the naval offensive action on Karachi Harbour during Indo-Pak war in 1971.

The ceremony involved a traditional lowering of the ensign and commissioning pendants with the playing of "Last Post".

With such a glorious legacy to their names, Nirbhik and Nirghat in their new avatars were commissioned at Poti, erstwhile USSR on December 21, 1987, and December 15, 1989, respectively.

These ships are manned by a crew of 70 sailors and seven officers. Their four gas turbine engines make them fast and achieve speeds close to 40 Knots. The weapon package of four surface-to-surface missiles, medium range AK 176 gun and close range AK 630 in addition to small calibre guns packs a lethal punch.

During their yeoman service over almost three decades, these ships have participated in numerous operations including Op Parakram and Vijay. Nirbhik and Nirghat have forward deployed off Gujarat on numerous occasions for patrolling.

Rear Admiral R B Pandit, Flag Officer Commanding Western Fleet, who had commanded Nirghat earlier, was the chief guest. Cdr V R Naphade, (Retd) and Commodore S Mampully, (Retd), the commissioning Commanding Officers of Nirbhik and Nirghat respectively were the Guests of Honour.