IRClass to Provide Classification Services for Indian Navy’s Eight Anti-Submarine Warfare Corvettes

The Indian Register of Shipping (IRClass) has won a contract to provide classification services for a series of eight Anti-Submarine Warfare Corvettes to be constructed for the Indian Navy.

The order was awarded under competitive bidding in which other classification societies participated, after qualifying stringent technical requirements. The ships are to be constructed at the Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Ltd, Kolkata and will be built to IRClass’ Naval Rules 2015, the company said in a statement last week.

These ships are designed for combating threats posed by submarines and special underwater craft, operating in relatively shallow waters. The classification services include checks during the contstruction of the ships, or after refits/dry docking for sea worthiness of ships. It also classifies as to whether the merchant ships are fit to sail as per deisgn and safety standards.

The design would incorporate advanced sensors, including sonars, and anti-submarine weapon systems. The platforms will also be equipped with modern automation systems.

A key feature of the vessel will be minimisation of its noise signature and radar cross section, and IRClass will be required to certify that the design of the vessel meets these requirements.