View source for Brahmaputra-class frigate

{{Short description|Indian Navy ship class}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2015}}
{{Use Indian English|date=August 2015}}

{{more citations needed|date=May 2010}}
{|{{Infobox ship begin}}
{{Infobox ship image
|Ship image=INS Brahmaputra Malabar 07.jpg
|Ship caption=INS ''Brahmaputra'' of the ''Brahmaputra'' class on Exercise Malabar
}}
{{Infobox ship class overview
|Name= ''Brahmaputra'' class
|Builders= [[Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers]]
|Operators= {{navy|IND}}
|Class before= {{sclass|Godavari|frigate|4}}
|Class after= {{sclass|Talwar|frigate|4}}
|Subclasses= 
|Cost=
|Built range=
|In service range= 
|In commission range= 
|Total ships building= 
|Total ships planned= 3
|Total ships completed=3
|Total ships cancelled=
|Total ships active= 2
|Total ships laid up= 
|Total ships Inactive=1
|Total ships retired= 
|Total ships preserved= 
}}
{{Infobox ship characteristics
|Hide header=
|Header caption= 
|Ship type= [[Guided-missile frigate]]
|Ship tonnage=
|Ship displacement= '''Standard:''' 3,600 tonnes
                    '''Full load:''' 3,850 tonnes
|Ship length= {{convert|126.4|m|abbr=on}}
|Ship beam= {{convert|14.5|m|abbr=on}}
|Ship height= 
|Ship draught= {{convert|4.5|m|abbr=on}}
|Ship depth= 
|Ship hold depth= 
|Ship decks= 
|Ship deck clearance= 
|Ship ramps= 
|Ship ice class= 
|Ship power= 
|Ship propulsion= 2 BHEL ''Bhopal'' steam turbines delivering 22,370 kW (30,000 shp) to 2 shafts
|Ship sail plan= 
|Ship speed= 30+ knots
|Ship range= {{convert|4500|nmi|-1}} at {{convert|12|kn|0}}
|Ship endurance= 
|Ship test depth= 
|Ship boats= 
|Ship capacity= 
|Ship troops= 
|Ship complement= 300
|Ship crew= 
|Ship time to activate= 
|Ship sensors=*'''Radar'''
*[[Bharat Electronics|BEL]] RAWS-03 air/surface search radar
*BEL/Signaal RAWL-02 (PLN 517) air search radar
*Decca Bridgemaster/BEL Rashmi PIN 524 navigation radar
*BEL Aparna Fire Control radar (Kh-35 SSM)
*[[Elta Systems|Elta]] EL/M-2221 Search, Track & Guidance/Gunnery Radar (Barak SAM)
*'''Sonar'''
*[[Bharat Electronics|BEL]] HUMSA (Hull Mounted Sonar Array)
*Thales Sintra towed array sonar
*'''OE'''
*BEL Shikari opto-electronic trackers (guns)
|Ship EW=*BEL Ajanta Mk.2C Electronic Warfare system
*ELLORA Electronic Support Measures system
*BEL Radar Warning Receiver Suite
*'''Decoy'''
*2 × chaff/flare launcher
*Super Barricade chaff launcher
*2 × Graesby G738 or BEL TOTED towed torpedo decoy
|Ship armament=*16 × [[Kh-35]] (SS-N-25) [[Surface-to-surface missile|SSM]] (4 × quadruple KT-184 launchers)
*24 × [[Barak SAM|Barak]] [[Surface-to-Air Missile|SAM]] (3 × 8 cell [[vertical launch system|VLS]] units)
*1 × [[Oto Melara 76 mm|OTO Melara 76 mm]] gun
*4 × [[AK-630]] 6-barreled 30 mm gatling gun
*2 × triple ILAS 3 324 mm torpedo tubes (Whitehead A244S anti-submarine torpedoes)
|Ship armour=
|Ship aircraft= 2 [[Westland Sea King|Sea King]] or [[HAL Chetak]]
|Ship aircraft facilities= 
|Ship notes= 
}}
|}
The '''''Brahmaputra''-class frigates''' (''Type 16A'' or ''Project 16A'') are [[guided-missile frigate]]s of the [[Indian Navy]], designed and built in [[India]]. They are an enhancement of the {{sclass|Godavari|frigate|4}}, with a displacement of 3850 tons and a length of {{convert|126|m}}. Although of similar hull and dimension, internally, the ''Brahmaputra'' and ''Godavari'' classes have different configurations, armaments and capabilities. 3 ships of this class serve in the [[Indian Navy]].

The class and the lead ship, {{INS|Brahmaputra|1994|6}}, are named after the [[River Brahmaputra]]. Subsequent ships of the class, {{INS|Betwa|F39|6}} and {{INS|Beas|F37|6}} are also named for [[Indian rivers]].

==History==
In 1986, the Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs (CCPA) decided to diversify India's warship building capability, and start an alternate production line to the ''Godavari''-class frigates that were built at [[Mazagon Dock Limited]] (MDL) in [[Bombay]]. 3 additional ''Godavari''-class frigates were to be built at [[Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers]] (GRSE) in [[Calcutta]]. After a transfer of technology from MDL to GRSE, production was to start in 1988, with deliveries between 1993 and 1996.

However, as the production was about to commence, the [[Indian Navy]]'s requirements were revised, which led to frequent changes in the design. The re-designed ship, christened '''Project 16A''', had its General Arrangement Drawings finalized only in September 1994.<ref name="gs-project16a">{{cite web|url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/india/f-godavari.htm |title=F 20 Godavari Class |publisher=globalsecurity.net |date=9 July 2011 |access-date=26 September 2014}}</ref>

===Accidents===

On 5 December 2016, [[INS Betwa (F39)|INS ''Betwa'']] was undergoing a refit at [[Bombay Dockyard|Mumbai Naval Dockyard]] when it tipped over during undocking.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/mumbai-news/ins-betwa-slips-at-naval-dockyard/story-XZvwjQ1qKlTSeHMI83HUGM.html|title=INS Betwa slips at Naval dockyard|last=Presley|first=Thomas|location=Mumbai|publisher=[[Hindustan Times]]|date=5 December 2016|access-date=5 December 2016}}</ref> The salvage and repair of the ship will take approximately two years.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ndtv.com/india-news/navy-plans-to-salvage-rs-600-crore-ins-betwa-which-lies-on-its-side-flooded-1634772|title=Navy Plans to Salvage Rs 600 Crore INS Betwa Which Lies on Its Side Flooded}}</ref>

On 21 July, 2024 Brahmaputra caught fire at dock at the [[Bombay Dockyard|Mumbai Naval Dockyard]]. After the fire was extinguished, she rolled onto her port side and listed partially above water. One crewman missing.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/ins-brahmaputra-severely-damaged-in-fire-lying-on-its-side-sailor-missing-6163214 |title=INS Brahmaputra Severely Damaged In Fire, Lying On Its Side; Sailor Missing |publisher=ndtv |accessdate=22 July 2024 }}</ref>

==Design==
The basic design of the ship was proposed by Indian Navy's Directorate of Naval Design. The detailed design development was undertaken by GRSE. The ships were originally designed to be fitted with the [[Defence Research and Development Organisation#Trishul SAM|Trishul SAM]], but in 2001, the decision was made to deploy the [[Barak SAM]].

The ''[[Times of India]]'' reported on 7 September 2005, that ''Betwa'' became the first Indian warship to successfully integrate indigenous combat data systems, with a wide variety of foreign/Indian weapons and sensors on board. While ''Brahmaputra'' was the first warship to be equipped with the BEL combat data systems, it was Betwa that has validated the indigenous technology platform. Captain C S Murthy, Commanding Officer of ''Betwa'', stated that the integrated systems had been successfully tested to an extreme. The anti-submarine warfare officer of ''Betwa'', Lieutenant Commander Sharad Parti, stated, "The EMMCA system gives commanders on the ship a consolidated tactical picture. It adds to the ship's maritime combat power." Commodore R P S Ravi, Director of the Maritime Warfare Centre in Mumbai, stated that it was a significant achievement for the Navy that indigenous data systems would be used for target evaluation, weapon selection and target engagement.

===Design===
The vessels are designed for a crew of 350 (including 40 officers + 13 aircrew). The ships are propelled by 2 [[Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited|BHEL]] ''Bhopal'' {{convert|15000|bhp|lk=in}} [[steam turbine]]s.<ref name="pib-beas">{{cite web|url=http://pib.nic.in/release/release.asp?relid=10124 |title=INS BEAS joins the Indian Navy |publisher=Press Information Bureau, Government of India |date=11 July 2005 |access-date=26 September 2014}}</ref>

===Command and control===
The vessels feature a Bharat RAWS-03 S-band radar using a DA08 antenna for air/surface search. The air search radar is a Bharat/Signaal RAWL-02 (PLN 517) D-band radar using a LW08 antenna. They use a One Decca Bridgemaster, BEL Rashmi (PIN 524) I-band radar with a ZW06 antenna for navigation.<ref name="br-type16a">{{cite web | url=http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/NAVY/Brahmaputra.html | title=Type 16A Brahmaputra Class | publisher=bharat-rakshak.com | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20050217020138/http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/NAVY/Brahmaputra.html |archivedate=17 February 2005 | accessdate=10 August 2021 }}</ref>

The ships are provided with a [[Bharat Electronics|BEL]] HUMSA (Hull Mounted Sonar Array), a medium-frequency, active panoramic search and attack sonar.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Advanced Active cum Passive Integrated Sonar System |url=https://bel-india.in/product/advanced-active-cum-passive-integrated-sonar-system-humsa-ng/ |access-date=2024-08-23 |website=BEL |language=en-US}}</ref> They also use a Thales (Thomson Marconi Sonar) Sintra towed array sonar.

Vessels feature BEL's EMCCA (Electronic Modular Command & Control Applications) Action Information Organisation (AIO) system with 10 multi-function consoles using Barco MPRD 9651 display linked with a LAN (Large Area Network). The system is capable of C3I and threat analysis and all tactical data can be integrated onto one display if necessary. The EMCCA system is an intra-naval AIO package made by Bharat Electronics Ltd. The vessels also feature an Indian-developed data link and [[Inmarsat]] communications (JRC). These frigates can operate in all environments, including those contaminated by nuclear, chemical or biological fallouts.

===Armament===
The ''Brahmaputra'' class is armed with sixteen 3M-24E ([[Kh-35]] Uran or NATO: SS-N-25 Switchblade) [[anti-ship missile]]s (AShM), housed in four quadruple KT-184 launchers, angled at 30°, two on either side of the bridge superstructure. Equivalent to the Harpoon Block 1C AShM, these missiles have [[active radar homing]] (ARH) out to a range of {{convert|130|km|abbr=on}} at 0.9 Mach, with a {{convert|145|kg|abbr=on}} warhead. All 16 Urans can be ripple-fired in 2-3 second intervals. Fire control is provided by a [[Bharat Electronics Limited|BEL]] Aparna (modified Garpun-Bal FC, NATO: Plank Shave) radar. The Garpun-Bal FC radar combines active and passive channels and in the active target designation mode, it operates in X-band (I/J-band) and can handle up to 150 targets at ranges between {{convert|35|–|45|km|abbr=on}}, although it is possible to obtain ranges of more than {{convert|180|km|abbr=on}} in wave-guide propagation conditions. The passive channel operates in the ESM mode searching for pulse and CW signals, and accurately identifying the bearing of hostile emitters from a built-in classification library of up to 1,000 signatures. The maximum range of the passive channel is over 100&nbsp;km depending on the frequency.

The shoulder-held Igla-M (SA-N-10) SAM launcher was used as a stop-gap measure aboard INS ''Brahmaputra'' at launch, until the ship was retro-fitted with the Israeli [[Barak SAM]] system, with fire control provided by an EL/M-2221 STGR radar. INS ''Betwa'' and INS ''Beas'' were commissioned with these systems deployed.

One OTO Melera Super Rapid {{convert|76|mm|in|abbr=on|0}} main gun, for use against ship and shore targets, with 65 rounds per minute to {{convert|4.4|nmi|lk=in}}. Four multi-barrelled {{convert|30|mm|in|abbr=on|1}} AK-630 Gatling guns on either beam, to shoot down incoming anti-ship missiles, with 5500 to 6000 rds/min to {{convert|2.5|km|abbr=on}}. Fire control for these five gun mounts are provided by two BEL Shikari (based on the Contraves Seaguard) opto-electronic trackers that operate in the I- and Ka-bands. Either of the Shikari trackers can control all five gun mounts or any combination thereof. Good minimum ranges, for the 76&nbsp;mm gun, have been largely achieved by advanced software.

Six {{convert|324|mm|in|abbr=on|0}} ILAS 3 [[torpedo tube]]s in two triple mounts with Whitehead A244S anti-submarine torpedoes, with active/passive homing to {{convert|3.8|nmi}} at {{convert|33|kn|lk=in}} with a {{convert|34|kg|abbr=on}} shaped charged warhead. Can also fire the AET anti-submarine torpedo, a locally produced version of the A244S.

The weapons-control radar is a BEL Shikari, BEL Aparna, RAN and RAWS-03. A BEL Ajanta Mk.2C is used as the EW (Electronic Warfare) suite. A media report, dated 5 May 2007, stated that the ELLORA Electronic Support Measures (ESM) system is fitted aboard ''Beas'' and the other two vessels in the class will also feature this ESM system. The ELLORA is an indigenous development by the Defence Electronics Research Laboratory (DLRL). The vessels are also fitted with two chaff/flare launchers, featuring long and medium range deceiver chaff. Features two Graesby G738 Towed Torpedo Decoy systems or the indigenously developed BEL Towed Torpedo Decoy. The 'Super Barricade' chaff launcher is also installed.

===Aircraft===
Depending on operation requirements, two [[Westland Sea King|Sea King]] Mk.42B anti-ship and anti-submarine helicopters can be embarked or a combination of the [[HAL Chetak]] and a [[Westland Sea King|Sea King]] Mk.42B is usually embarked. The latter is equipped with a surface search radar, dunking sonar and can carry two [[Sea Eagle (missile)|Sea Eagle]] AShMs or a combination of [[depth charge]]s and AS-244 anti-submarine torpedoes. The Sea King Mk.42B helicopter can fly {{convert|400|km|abbr=on}} around the vessel and is equipped with a data link to download target data to the combat information centre, based on the indigenous Bharat Shikari (Hunter) combat data system, in the operations room. Bharat Shikari is a derivative of the Italian IPN series of combat data systems, but integrating Western, Russian and Indian weapons and sensor systems.

==Construction==
The construction of these vessels at GRSE was slowed down due to a combination of design changes, labor problems, delays in equipment availability and integration problems with the Trishul SAM. This caused severe delays to the commissioning date of ''Brahmaputra''. The vessel was laid down in 1989 as a part of the ''Godavari'' class. After the new design for Project 16A was finalized in September 1994, the ship was finally commissioned on 14 April 2000.

=== Mid life Upgrade ===
On 16 October 2023, [[Ministry of Defence (India)|Ministry of Defence]] signed a contract for he mid-life upgrade of [[INS Beas (2000)|INS Beas]] with [[Cochin Shipyard|Cochin Shipyard Limited]]. In early April 2024, the mid-life upgrade of [[INS Beas (2000)|INS Beas]] began. The upgrade included conversion of steam turbine propulsion into diesel propulsion ([[Combined diesel and diesel|CODAD]]) and other equipment and systems upgrade. INS Beas will likely be fitted with [[Caterpillar Inc.|Caterpillar]] marine diesel engine with 6-MW power.  The overall upgrade will take 2 years for completion. The upgrade will increase the remaining service lifespan of the frigate from current 10 years to more than 20 years after completion. According to an official, “there are issues such as steam leaks and high temperatures in the boiler and engine rooms of these ships which contribute to uncomfortable working conditions for the crew.” The upgrade will reduce the maintenance requirement of the ships. 

This upgrade will also be incorporated on the opter two ships of the class for which the request for proposal will be issued soon. The two other ships in the Brahmaputra class would probably be the first to have indigenous diesel engines as a result of the indigenous development of the marine diesel engine under the 'Make-I category'{{Efn|Make-I category: Projects under ‘Make-I’ sub-category will involve Government funding of 90%, released in a phased manner and based on the progress of the scheme, as per terms agreed between MoD and the vendor.}}, which is believed to have been taken up by [[Kirloskar Group|Kirloskar Oil Engines Ltd]] and [[Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers|Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers]] Ltd (GRSE). According to sources, orders for thirty diesel engines would be issued after the engine's successful development, and these would be installed in vehicles such as the [[Next generation corvette|Next Generation Corvette]] (NGC).<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-05-01 |title=With INS Beas, Navy begins converting steam-powered warships to diesel |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/with-ins-beas-navy-begins-converting-steam-powered-warships-to-diesel-9302228/ |access-date=2024-05-02 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Ministry of Defence signs contract with Cochin Shipyard Limited for Mid Life Upgrade and Re-Powering of INS Beas |url=https://pib.gov.in/pib.gov.in/Pressreleaseshare.aspx?PRID=1968058 |access-date=2024-05-02 |website=pib.gov.in}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Peri |first=Dinakar |date=2023-03-14 |title=Project to develop indigenous diesel engine gets sanction, expected to be ready in four years: Navy Chief |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/project-to-develop-indigenous-diesel-engine-gets-sanction-expected-to-be-ready-in-four-years-navy-chief/article66615541.ece |access-date=2024-05-02 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Project To Develop Indigenous Diesel Engine Gets Sanction, Expected To Be Ready In Four Years: Navy Chief |url=https://www.indiandefensenews.in/2023/03/project-to-develop-indigenous-diesel.html |access-date=2024-05-02}}</ref> 

==Ships of the class==
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!Name
!Pennant 
!Builder
!Laid down
!Launched
!Commissioned
!Homeport
!Status
|-
| {{INS|Brahmaputra|1994|2}}
| F31
| rowspan=3|[[Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers|GRSE]]
| 1989<ref name="jfs-0809">{{cite book|editor1-last=Saunders|editor1-first=Stephen|editor1-mask=Commodore Stephen Saunders|title=Jane's Fighting Ships 2008–2009|date=2008|publisher=Jane's Information Group|location=Coulsdon|isbn=978-0710628459|page=328|edition=111th|chapter=India}}</ref>
| 26 January 1994<ref name="grse-coffeetablebook">{{cite web|title=Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers: Committed to Self Reliance in Maritime Security|url=http://grse.gov.in/pdf/GRSE_Coffee%20Table%20Book_low.pdf|page=52|publisher=Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers|access-date=24 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170223214212/http://grse.gov.in/pdf/GRSE_Coffee%20Table%20Book_low.pdf#|archive-date=23 February 2017|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref>
| 14 April 2000<ref name="jfs-0809"/>
| rowspan="3" | [[Mumbai]]
| Temporarily inactive
|-
| {{INS|Betwa|F39|2}}
| F39
| 22 August 1994
| 26 February 1998
| 7 July 2004<ref name="jfs-0809"/>
| Active
|-
| {{INS|Beas|F37|2}}
| F37
| 26 February 1998<ref name="jfs-0809"/>
| 28 November 2000<ref name="grse-coffeetablebook"/>
| 11 July 2005<ref name="jfs-0809"/>
| Active
|}

==See also==
* [[List of active Indian Navy ships]]
* [[List of naval ship classes in service]]

== Notes ==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{Commons category|Brahmaputra class frigate}}
{{Reflist}}

{{Brahmaputra class frigate}}
{{Ship classes of the Indian Navy}}
{{Frigates of the Indian Navy}}

[[Category:Brahmaputra-class frigates| ]]
[[Category:Frigate classes]]
[[Category:Ships built in India]]