India’s first Missile Tracking Ship | Latest Burning Issue | Free PDF Download

UPSC PERSPECTIVE

• UPSC CSE Syllabus for General Studies Mains Paper 3.
• Various Security forces and agencies and their mandate.
• Mains Paper 3: Science & Technology | Indigenization of technology & developing new technology UPSC PRELIMS 2016

Which one of the following is the best description of ‘INS Astradharini’ that was in the news recently?

1. Amphibious warfare ship
2. Nuclear -powered submarine
3. Torpedo launch and recovery vessel
4. Nuclear – powered aircraft carrier

 ANSWER OF UPSC 2016 PRELIMS MCQ Ans. C

Explanation: INS Astradharani is Indian Navy’s first totally indigenouslydesigned and built torpedo launch and recovery vessel. Why the question Came: INS Astradharani was commissioned recently in 2015. At least one defence based question on Missiles/Aircrafts/ships is expected. Be alert for such news.

WHAT JUST HAPPENED?

 NOTES

Hindustan Shipyard Limited is readying to undertake sea trials of India’s first missile tracking ship, a force multiplier, by the first week of next month. It is being built under a confidential programme which is directly under the control of the Prime Minister’s Office and the National Security Advisor. This is similar to the Advanced Technology Vessel (ATV) programme of the Indian Navy. The ship started harbour trials in July 2018 and is expected to undergo sea trials by the end of 2018

 DESIGN AND DESCRIPTION

Considered a “topmost secret project”, a lot of confidentiality is being maintained in executing the project costing about ₹750 crore. It will be named after its induction into the Indian Navy. For now, it is simply referred as VC 11184. It will have a crew complement of 300 personnel and will carry a single helicopter. The ship will also have a special team from National Technical Research Organisation on board.

NATIONAL TECHNICAL RESEARCH ORGANISATION

• The National Technical Research Organisation (NTRO) is a technical intelligence Agency under the National Security Advisor in the Prime Minister’s Office, India.
• It was set up in 2004. It also includes National Institute of Cryptology Research and Development (NICRD), which is first of its kind in Asia. NTRO will now have the same “norms of conduct” as the Intelligence Bureau (IB) and the Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW).

TRACKING SHIP

A tracking ship, also called a missile range instrumentation ship or range ship, is a ship equipped with antennas and electronics to support the launching and tracking of missiles and rockets. Since many missile ranges launch over ocean areas for safety reasons, range ships are used to extend the range of shore-based tracking facilities.

DUAL PURPOSE FOR INDIA

The complex vessel, which will generate over 14 MW of power just to power up its tracking radars, will have multiple roles for India – from tracking enemy missiles to accurately giving data on tests that are routinely carried out of indigenous strategic missiles. The VC11184 is one of the largest warships to be built at an Indian yard, weighing in at over 15,000 tonnes.

 NOTES

Visakhapatnam is considered a strategic location on the East Coast for the Indian defence forces as it is home for Ship Building Centre to build nuclear powered submarine INS Arihant class, Naval Alternate Operational Base at Rambilli, the second naval base after Eastern Naval Command headquarters, training centre for Marine Commandos and headquarters of the submarine arm.

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