Press Release from Indian Ambassy

Muscat: India-Oman relations are exceptionally close having reached the level of a strategic partnership. In this framework, Indian Naval ships would be making a port call at Muscat from 21-23 June, 2012.

The ships scheduled to visit Muscat include the aircraft carrier INS Viraat accompanied by stealth frigate INS Talwar and indigenously built guided missile frigate INS Ganga. These three ships are part of the Western Fleet of the Indian Navy. Captain AB Singh, VSM, Commanding Officer of the aircraft carrier INS Viraat is the Officer in Tactical Command for this Carrier Task Group, which would return to India by end of this month.

INS Viraat was commissioned in the Indian Navy on 12 May, 1987. The carrier operates the short-take-off fighter aircraft Sea Harriers with vertical landing capability. Antisubmarine helicopter Sea King 42B and Chetak helicopters for search and rescue purpose are also operated from the ship. The carrier is equipped with self-defence capability of anti-missile defence system and long-range surveillance system on a Maritime Domain Awareness network with other fleet ships and shore headquarters. These surveillance systems and sensors of her integral air assets and other screen ships of the formation enable her to maintain an enhanced surveillance bubble around the force. The Sea Harrier fighters are equipped with anti-shipping missiles (AShM), long-range beyond visual range air-to-air missiles (AAM), bombs and rockets. The Sea King helicopters are equipped with long-range radar, ESM suite, dunking Sonar and sonobuoys. The armaments carried by this helicopter include anti-submarine torpedoes, depth charges and anti-shipping missiles (AShM). The ship is manned by approximately 140 officers and 1400 sailors and has facilities and amenities to cater for requirements of all personnel onboard.

The other two frigates accompanying the Carrier Task Group are INS Talwar and INS Ganga. While Ganga has been indigenously built, Talwar has been built in Russia as per Indian design requirements. Both Talwar and Ganga are manned by around 30 officers and 300 sailors each. INS Talwar is fitted with long-range air survelliance radar and credible  sonar for detection of submarines. INS Talwar carries one Air Early Warning (AEW) helicopter Kamov 31, a force multiplier against air threat. The arsenal onboard Talwar include long-range anti- shipping hypersonic cruise missiles, medium-range anti-aircraft and anti-missile surface-to-air missile (SAM) system, medium-range gun, close-in weapon system, anti-submarine rockets and torpedoes. Talwar is being commanded by Captain SK Chauhan. INS Ganga is armed with guided missiles, medium-range gun, anti-missile defence SAM system, close-in weapon system, anti-submarine torpedoes and a state-of-the-art towed array sonar. Ganga has been designed to carry two Sea King 42B anti-submarine helicopters. She is commanded by Captain BR Prakash.

Indian ships open for visitors

The ships would be berthed alongside at Port Sultan Qaboos from 21-23 June. The ships would remain open for visit by the general public from 1000 hrs – 1600 hrs on Friday, 22 Jun 12. All visitors are requested to carry proof of identity and park their vehicles outside the port. Shuttle buses would be available for the visitors between the ships and the parking area.