Welcome INS Tihayu, India’s Indigenously Built Fast Attack Craft For The Indian Navy

The Indian Navy today (19 October) commissioned a highly manoeuvrable fast attack craft by the name of INS Tihayu, named after the Tihayu islands in the Nicobar group of islands. This 320-tonne patrol craft, which can exceed speeds of 35 knots, will be deployed along the east coast of India.

Categorised as a Water Jet Fast Attack Craft (WJFAC), INS Tihayu is built by Garden Research Shipbuilders and Engineers Limited (GRSE), who were also behind the building of Car Nicobar-class vessels that were fast-tracked after the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks.

This is another step towards “indigenization” of warship design and construction, said an official statement:

The ship is capable of operating in shallow waters at high speeds and is equipped with enhanced fire power. It is equipped with two 12.7-mm heavy machine guns and multiple medium machine guns, besides shoulder-launched Igla surface-to-air missiles to combat aerial threats.

INS Tihayu is manned by a team of four officers and 41 sailors, with Commander Ajay Kashov appointed as the commissioning Commanding Officer.

Another ship was commissioned today (19 October). Fast patrol vessel ICGS Gaidinliu will be deployed for the Indian Coast Guard. Named after the Naga freedom fighter, Rani Gaidinliu, this ship will be “used for search and rescue operations, surveillance at sea, coastal patrol and anti-smuggling operations,” as reported in Business Line.

With inputs from IANS