Q. Which one of the following is the best description of ‘INS Astradharini’, that was in the news recently?

  • Amphibious warfare ship
  • Nuclear-powered submarine
  • Torpedo launch and recovery vessel
  • Nuclear-powered aircraft carrier

Answer: (c) Torpedo launch and recovery vessel

INS Astradharini
  • INS Astradharini is an indigenously built Torpedo Launch and Recovery Vessel.
  • It was commissioned on 6th October 2015.
  • The ship has modern power generation and distribution, navigation and communication systems.
  • The vessel is capable to do speeds up to 15 Knots.
INS Imphal
  • INS Imphal is one of the four ‘Project 15 Bravo Vishakhapatnam class’ guided missile destroyers.
  • INS Imphal is among “the most technologically advanced guided missile destroyers in the world.
  • Features:
    • The ship measures 163m in length, and 17m in breadth with a displacement of 7,400 tonnes and is amongst the most potent warships built in India.
    • It is propelled by four powerful Gas Turbines, in a Combined Gas and Gas configuration, and is capable of speeds in excess of 30 knots.
    • It is capable of launching the BrahMos cruise missile, the world’s fastest supersonic cruise missile.
    • The ship is also equipped to fight under Nuclear, Biological and Chemical warfare conditions.
    • It is armed with sophisticated state-of-the-art weapons and sensors, including Surface-to-Surface Missiles, Surface-to-Air Missiles, Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) rocket launchers and Torpedo launchers, ASW helicopters, radars, sonar and Electronic Warfare systems.