India’s indigenously built in-service missile corvette INS Kirpan was decommissioned and handed over to Vietnam People’s Navy in an impressive ceremony held at strategic Cam Ranh naval base over the weekend.
Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral R Hari Kumar presided over the decommissioning ceremony followed by the handing over of INS Kirpan along with Rear Admiral Pham Manh Hung, Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Vietnam People’s Navy.
The Indigenously built in-service Missile Corvette #INSKirpan, decommissioned & Handed Over in a Grand Ceremony at Cam Ranh, Naval Base. The momentous & historic Ceremony presided by Adm R Hari Kumar #CNS & RAdm Pham Manh Hung, Deputy CinC & Chief of Staff, #VietnamPeoplesNavy. pic.twitter.com/9cLCHVgBGk
— SpokespersonNavy (@indiannavy) July 22, 2023
INS Kirpan, which is capable of speed in excess of 25 knots and is fitted with a medium-range gun, 30 mm close-range guns, and chaff launchers besides surface-to-surface missiles, departed on her final journey under Indian Tricolour from Visakhapatnam to Vietnam on June 28 and reached Cam Ranh on July 8.
“Greetings, comrade!”
Ex-Khukri-class INS Kirpan (P44) of Indian Navy chilling by the pier, Cam Ranh Bay ((Khanh Hoa, Vietnam). The handover ceremony just occurred earlier today, marking the official transfer of the ship. As of today, the Kirpan is part of Vietnam People Navy. pic.twitter.com/U2MDxR2qYf
— Lee Ann Quann (@AnnQuann) July 22, 2023
As reported by IndiaNarrative.com, the active-duty missile corvette will further enhance the capabilities of the Southeast Asian country’s Navy which is constantly tackling China’s strategic expansion in the region.
Also Read: India set to handover missile corvette at Cam Ranh Bay, Vietnam’s legendary port in South China Sea
