Navy Day 2017 : Visit to INS Tarkash

NAVY DAY 2017 - Visit to INS Tarkash

Its not often that you get to see the Indian Navy or any of its Naval Assets from such personal level. So I jumped on the oppurtunity when I came to know that navy is organising a 3 day event where it will grant general public an exculsive access to its dockyard where 2 great warships are currently docked. - INS Tarkash and INS Kolkatta.

INS Kolkatta - in action 

On Sept 29th 2017, I saw the the Navy's ad where as part of Navy days Celebration- The navy was granting a rare access to its frigates and destroyers for the common public. Navy operates a naval dockyard near Mumbai's Eastern waterfront. This also serves as the HQ of Naval's Western Command.  Navy week is actually celebrated on 4th of December every year. It is celebrated to commemorate the courageous attack on the Karachi harbor during the Indo-Pakistan war (on 4 December, 1971) by the Indian Naval Missile boats as well as to pay reverence all the martyrs of that war. The lead force behind this courageous attack was the very own this Western Command of the Naval warforce.  

On 1st Oct 2017, Me and my friends met at CST and then walked towards Ballard pier for this event. our destination was "Tiger gate" which is the naval dockyard entrance. It being a sunday, Ballard Estate looked almost like a ghost town, Albeit - a pretty one. The ad specifically mentions that naval dockyard- being a restricted area, No phones or cameras be brought in. So we were not carrying any cellphones. It was an all old school cordination to reach this place. The entry was to start at 9AM. We were pleasently suprised when we saw many people had turned up quite early (as early as 8AM) and the serpentine queue was coming upto the end of the road. 

Navy had deployed its young cadets for marshalling of crowd. There were host of announcements regarding the types of ID cards accepted. formation of Queue etc. Technically, the visitor area is under the command of naval dockyard- so rules regarding Entry/ Exit of visitors apply accordingly. You are allowed entry on showing any original proof of Identity. however it is advisable that you carry original adhaar card as it is fast  becoming a more unique and accepted Identity proof. however they will accept PoI like PAN card, Voter EPIC card etc.

Once inside, There are two ships on display. As per some mechanism - the attendent gives pass for any 1 of the 2 ships. the ships on display are - INS Tarkash and INS Kolkatta. 

About the ships

Badge of INS Tarkash

INS Tarkash is the fifth Talwar-class frigate constructed for the Indian Navy. She is part of the second batch of Talwar-class frigates ordered by the Indian Navy. The main difference between Tarkash and the earlier Talwar-class ships is the use of BrahMos missiles in place of the Klub-N missiles in the earlier ships. In March 2015, INS Tarkash was in news- when it was sent with INS Mumbai and INS Sumitra as part of Operation Raahat to provide protection and support to Indian ships and aircraft involved in the evacuation of Indian citizens from Yemen during the military intervention.

Badge of INS Kolkatta

INS Kolkata is the lead ship of the Kolkata-class stealth guided-missile destroyers of the Indian Navy. She was constructed at Mazagon Dock Limited (MDL), and was handed over to the navy on 10 July 2014 after completing her sea trials. she was instrumental in pre trials - INS Kolkata test-fired a BrahMos missile off Karwar's coast on 9 June 2014, and the test met all parameters.Also Indian Navy successfully test-fired the Barak 8 missile from INS Kolkata. INS Kochi & INS Chennai are the  sister-ship and second and third of the class respectively.




The Tour -

We were alloted INS Tarkash - The Talwar class frigate , a front line ship. She is 124 m long and can gain a speed of 30 knots. Once on board, On display- were various photos from all its various expeditions and Naval exercises. All of them displayed Tarkash's naval majesty. On the front deck was Kashtan Naval Guns with a perimeter movement of 135° (on either sides) and +85° vertical pedigree. The BhraMos launch deck was next in line. but due to operational sensiblities, only related information, which is already in public domain was given. Then a tactical officer introduced us to the working of 2x2- 533 mm torpedo tubes. After an array of officers room, comes the rear deck with a facility to land an helicopter. As informed by the on board cadet- the frigate is in the lead of operational readiness when called upon for naval formatation. Its primary target is to chase any enemy ship and launch counter offence thereby protecting destroyers like INS Mumbai and INS Kolkatta in naval warfare.

INS Tarkash - Near London Port

This is where our tour ended. From the rear deck, we could see the entire Mumbai eastern seafront and the whole naval dockyard. The now less used international cruise terminal was also visible. We were then escorted out. Although, it isnt as detailed or as entertaining as INS Vikrant tour was (as my friends admitted) . It was still a memory worth keeping and a tour worth doing.

I must admit that such occassions are rare, especially when you dont know anyone in the indian navy. This was managed well by the Naval dockyard employees and Team incharge of the Indian Navy. I would again recommend it to all my readers. 


The programme Ad (on facebook) -
As part of Navy Day 2017 celebrations, Indian Naval Ships Tarkash and Kolkata will remain open to public from 0900 to 1500 hours on 01 and 02 October 2017 at Naval Dockyard, Mumbai. 

Free entry will be permitted from Tiger Gate near Ballard Estate. Visitors are requested to abide by security procedures at the Naval Dockyard and are advised not to bring mobile phones, cameras and handbags for security reasons. Visitors are further requested to carry Aadhar card/ suitable identity proof. 

INS Kolkata is the first stealth destroyer to be built in India and is one of the largest indigenously built warships till date in the #IndianNavy. 

INS Tarkash, a modern stealth frigate is packed with weapons and sensors and is one of the potent warships of the #IndianNavy.

Important points-
1. the programme is only for 3 days- 01 Oct / 02 Oct and 18 Nov 2017.
2. Timing - 9AM to 3 PM
3. It is advisable not to carry any handbag/ Mobile phone or camera as this is a restricted area and the dockyard employees do not allow them inside. 
4. Please carry a photo Identity proof (in orginal). Xerox or scan copy in phone is not accepted.
5. Every member of group needs to have a Identity Proof. 
6. On its own - the Naval dockyard has made provisions for water and Washrooms inside the premises.
7. No eatables are allowed. 

Reaching there-
1. Its a 10 Mins walk from CST station (C.R). Landmark - Tiger gate or Alexandra Gate- (Ballard Estate)
2.There no dedicated parking or this event, but general parking near Ballard Estate is available. 

External Link - @IndianNavy (Indian Navy Facebook Page)

(Photo Credits Disclaimer :-Please note that photos used here are taken from wikipedia and Indian Navy's FB page. I do not own the copyright to these photos, These photos are in the public domain and hence reproduced here for convinience)