INS Brahmaputra (1994)
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 INS Brahmaputra departing Portsmouth Naval Base, UK, 20 June 2009 | |
| History | |
|---|---|
 India | |
| Name | INS Brahmaputra |
| Namesake | River Brahmaputra |
| Builder | Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers |
| Launched | 29 January 1994[1] |
| Commissioned | 14 April 2000 |
| Identification | F31 |
| Nickname(s) | The Raging Rhino |
| Status | Temporarily inactive, sustained severe damage in major fire |
| General characteristics | |
| Class & type | Brahmaputra-class guided missile frigate |
| Displacement | 3,850 tons |
| Length | 126.4 m (414 ft 8 in) |
| Beam | 14.5 m (47 ft 7 in) |
| Propulsion | 2 steam turbines, 22,370 kW (30,000 shp), 2 shafts |
| Speed | 30 knots (56 km/h; 35 mph)+ |
| Range | 4,500 nautical miles (8,300 km; 5,200 mi) |
| Complement | 440 to 450 (Including 40 officers + 13 aircrew) |
| Sensors & processing systems |
|
| Electronic warfare & decoys |
|
| Armament | |
| Aircraft carried | 1 Sea King |
INS Brahmaputra (F31) is the lead ship of her class of guided missile frigates of the Indian Navy. She was built at the Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata.
On 21 July 2024, the ship listed on one side during maintenance in Mumbai dockyard after a major fire onboard. The Navy had immediately initiated an investigation for the incident.[2] As of May 2025, the ship is being repaired and is expected to regain its seaworthiness by early 2026 and will be combat-ready by mid-2026.[3]
The design and construction of the ship is entirely Indian, and is a modification of the Godavari class of frigates.[4] It is fitted with an array of modern sensor suites and matching weapon systems. INS Brahmaputra was commissioned on 14 April 2000 by Captain Pradeep 'Billoo' Chauhan, VSM.
This 3,600-tonne ship is 125 metres (410 ft) long and can reach speeds of up to 30 knots (56 km/h; 35 mph). She operates the Westland Sea King helicopter and the MATCH (Multi-Role Anti-Submarine Torpedo Carrying Helicopter) helicopter, which is an anti-submarine warfare variant of the Chetak helicopter. Brahmaputra is the second ship of the Indian Navy named for the River Brahmaputra.[5] The first vessel of the name was a Type 41 Leopard-class frigate that was commissioned in 1958. The symbol of Brahmaputra is 'The Raging Rhino', for the one-horned rhino native to the Brahmaputra valley.
Operations
Operation Sukoon
In July 2006,INS Brahmaputra, under the command of Captain Kapil Gupta, was a part of Task Force 54 on its return to India from the Mediterranean, when it was turned back to assist in Operation Sukoon. The task force consisted of three warships and a fleet tanker which were returning from a goodwill visit and were just about to cross the Suez Canal. After the evacuation, the task force remained on station in international waters off Lebanon, monitoring the conflict and ensuring the safety of remaining Indian nationals in Lebanon. The vessels left for their home ports on 10 August 2006.[6] during the 2006 Israeli-Lebanese conflict.
Task Force Europe 2009
During May–July 2009, Brahmaputra was a part of the Indian Navy task force on deployment to Europe. During this deployment, the task force participated in joint-exercises with the Royal Navy and the French Navy. Exercise Konkan-09 with the Royal Navy, was conducted off the coast of the United Kingdom.[7] Exercise Varuna 2009 with the French Navy was off the coast of France.[8]
