Vidyut class missile boat
Encyclopedia
The Vidyut class missile boats of the Indian Navy
were an India
n variant of the Soviet
Osa I class
.
These vessels formed the illustrious 25th "Killer" Missile Boat Squadron, which sunk 2 destroyer
s, a minesweeper
and various other vessels of the Pakistan Navy
during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971
.
offered the Osa class missile boats to a visiting Indian delegation. However, the Indian Navy showed no interest in the smaller boats at the time.
Until 1965, the primary acquisitions of the Indian Navy had been from Britain
. After the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965
, the British declined to transfer modern equipment to India. So, India turned to the Soviet Union
for its military acquisitions.
In 1967, during the Six Day War, an Egypt
ian missile boat attacked and sank the Israel
i frigate, Eilat, from a range well beyond the frigate's guns.
In 1968, a Pakistani delegation to the Soviet Union was also offered the missile boats and transfer of associated infrastructure. However, the Pakistan Navy wanted larger vessels and turned down the offer.
In 1969, after examining the performance of the Egyptian boats during the Six Day War, India finalized agreements for the acquisition of the Osa-I class missile boats from the Soviet Union. The vessels were commissioned into the Indian Navy starting in 1971, a few months before the start of the war with Pakistan.
in December 1971. The two key operations in which these vessels played an active role, were Operation Trident and Operation Python
.
Commander B.B. Yadav, who commanded Operation Trident was awarded the Maha Vir Chakra
. Lieutenant Commander B.N. Kavina, Petty Officer M.O. Thomachan, Petty Officer R.N. Sharma and L.K. Chakravarty and Lieutenant Commander Inderjit Sharma received the Vir Chakra
for their roles in Operation Trident. Lieutenant Commander Vijai Jerath, was awarded the Vir Chakra
for Operation Python.
Indian Navy
The Indian Navy is the naval branch of the armed forces of India. The President of India serves as the Commander-in-Chief of the Navy. The Chief of Naval Staff , usually a four-star officer in the rank of Admiral, commands the Navy...
were an India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
n variant of the Soviet
Soviet Navy
The Soviet Navy was the naval arm of the Soviet Armed Forces. Often referred to as the Red Fleet, the Soviet Navy would have played an instrumental role in a Warsaw Pact war with NATO, where it would have attempted to prevent naval convoys from bringing reinforcements across the Atlantic Ocean...
Osa I class
Osa class missile boat
The Project 205 Tsunami, more commonly known by their NATO reporting name Osa, are a class of missile boats developed for the Soviet Navy in the early 1960s. The Osas are probably the most numerous class of missile boats ever built, with over 400 vessels constructed for both the Soviet Navy and for...
.
These vessels formed the illustrious 25th "Killer" Missile Boat Squadron, which sunk 2 destroyer
Destroyer
In naval terminology, a destroyer is a fast and maneuverable yet long-endurance warship intended to escort larger vessels in a fleet, convoy or battle group and defend them against smaller, powerful, short-range attackers. Destroyers, originally called torpedo-boat destroyers in 1892, evolved from...
s, a minesweeper
Minesweeper (ship)
A minesweeper is a small naval warship designed to counter the threat posed by naval mines. Minesweepers generally detect then neutralize mines in advance of other naval operations.-History:...
and various other vessels of the Pakistan Navy
Pakistan Navy
The Pakistan Navy is the naval warfare/service branch of the Pakistan Armed Forces. Pakistan's Navy is responsible for Pakistan's coastline along the Arabian Sea and the defense of important civilian harbors and military bases...
during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971
Indo-Pakistani War of 1971
The Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 was a military conflict between India and Pakistan. Indian, Bangladeshi and international sources consider the beginning of the war to be Operation Chengiz Khan, Pakistan's December 3, 1971 pre-emptive strike on 11 Indian airbases...
.
Acquisition
In 1964, the Soviet UnionSoviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
offered the Osa class missile boats to a visiting Indian delegation. However, the Indian Navy showed no interest in the smaller boats at the time.
Until 1965, the primary acquisitions of the Indian Navy had been from Britain
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
. After the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965
Indo-Pakistani War of 1965
The Indo-Pakistani War of 1965 was a culmination of skirmishes that took place between April 1965 and September 1965 between Pakistan and India. This conflict became known as the Second Kashmir War fought by India and Pakistan over the disputed region of Kashmir, the first having been fought in 1947...
, the British declined to transfer modern equipment to India. So, India turned to the Soviet Union
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
for its military acquisitions.
In 1967, during the Six Day War, an Egypt
Egypt
Egypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, Arabic: , is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia. Egypt is thus a transcontinental country, and a major power in Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and the Muslim world...
ian missile boat attacked and sank the Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
i frigate, Eilat, from a range well beyond the frigate's guns.
In 1968, a Pakistani delegation to the Soviet Union was also offered the missile boats and transfer of associated infrastructure. However, the Pakistan Navy wanted larger vessels and turned down the offer.
In 1969, after examining the performance of the Egyptian boats during the Six Day War, India finalized agreements for the acquisition of the Osa-I class missile boats from the Soviet Union. The vessels were commissioned into the Indian Navy starting in 1971, a few months before the start of the war with Pakistan.
Operations
The 25th Missile Boat Squadron, consisting of vessels from the Vidyut class, played a crucial role in the Indian attacks on KarachiKarachi
Karachi is the largest city, main seaport and the main financial centre of Pakistan, as well as the capital of the province of Sindh. The city has an estimated population of 13 to 15 million, while the total metropolitan area has a population of over 18 million...
in December 1971. The two key operations in which these vessels played an active role, were Operation Trident and Operation Python
Operation Python
Operation Python, a follow up to Operation Trident, was a code name of a naval attack launched on West Pakistan's port city of Karachi by the Indian Navy during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971...
.
Commander B.B. Yadav, who commanded Operation Trident was awarded the Maha Vir Chakra
Maha Vir Chakra
The Maha Vir Chakra is the second highest military decoration in India and is awarded for acts of conspicuous gallantry in the presence of the enemy, whether on land, at sea or in the air. It may be awarded posthumously. Literally Maha Veer means extraordinarily brave.-Appearance:The medal is made...
. Lieutenant Commander B.N. Kavina, Petty Officer M.O. Thomachan, Petty Officer R.N. Sharma and L.K. Chakravarty and Lieutenant Commander Inderjit Sharma received the Vir Chakra
Vir Chakra
Vir Chakra is an Indian gallantry award presented for acts of bravery in the battlefield. Award of the decoration carried with it the right to use Vr.C. as a postnominal abbreviation Vir Chakra is an Indian gallantry award presented for acts of bravery in the battlefield. Award of the decoration...
for their roles in Operation Trident. Lieutenant Commander Vijai Jerath, was awarded the Vir Chakra
Vir Chakra
Vir Chakra is an Indian gallantry award presented for acts of bravery in the battlefield. Award of the decoration carried with it the right to use Vr.C. as a postnominal abbreviation Vir Chakra is an Indian gallantry award presented for acts of bravery in the battlefield. Award of the decoration...
for Operation Python.
Ships of the class
| Name | Pennant | Commissioned | Decommissioned | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| INS Veer INS Veer (K82) INS Veer was a Vidyut class missile boat of the Indian Navy.INS Veer was a part of the 25th "Killer" Missile Squadron of the Indian Navy.-Operation Trident:... |
K82 | 02 April 1971 | 31 December 1982 | |
| INS Vidyut INS Vidyut (K83) INS Vidyut was the lead vessel of her class of fast attack craft of the Indian Navy.... |
K83 | 16 February 1971 | 31 March 1991 | |
| INS Vijeta | K84 | 27 March 1971 | 30 June 1992 | |
| INS Vinash INS Vinash (K85) INS Vinash was a Vidyut class missile boat of the Indian Navy. She was a member of the illustrious 25th Killer Missile Boat Squadron.-Operation Python:... |
K85 | 20 January 1971 | 15 January 1990 | |
| INS Nipat INS Nipat (K86) INS Nipat was a Vidyut class missile boat of the Indian Navy.INS Nipat was a part of the 25th "Killer" Missile Squadron of the Indian Navy.-Operation Trident:... |
K86 | 26 April 1971 | 29 February 1988 | |
| INS Nashak | K87 | 19 March 1971 | 31 December 1990 | |
| INS Nirbhik INS Nirbhik (K88) INS Nirbhik was a Vidyut class missile boat of the Indian Navy.... |
K88 | 20 February 1971 | 31 December 1986 | |
| INS Nirghat INS Nirghat (K89) INS Nirghat was a Vidyut class missile boat of the Indian Navy.INS Nirghat was a part of the 25th "Killer" Missile Squadron of the Indian Navy.-Operation Trident:... |
K89 | 29 January 1971 | 31 July 1989 |