INS Kalpeni:
An Indian Navy fast attack craft, INS Kalpeni, recently arrived at Gan in the Addu Atoll, marking a significant step in the ongoing maritime engagement between India and the Maldives.
- INS Kalpeni is a fast attack craft of the Indian Navy.
- It belongs to a series of 10 Fleet Car Nicobar class Waterjet Fast Attack Craft (FAC) built by the Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata for the Indian Navy.
- It was commissioned into the Indian Navy on October 14, 2010.
- The ship is named after Kalpeni Island in the Lakshadweep group of islands.
- The ship is based at Kochi under the Southern Naval Command with the primary role of Coastal Surveillance and Defence.
- It specialises in anti-smuggling, Vessel Boarding Search & Seizure as well as Search & Rescue operations.
- The main armament of the ship is 30 mm CRN 91 Gun with an Optronic Pedestal Sight as its Director.
- In addition the 49-metre-longship has been fitted with 11 Machine guns of various types and shoulder launched IGLA Surface to Air Missiles to neutralise aerial threats.
