INS Brahmaputra (F31)

INS Brahmaputra F31 departing Portsmouth Naval Base, UK, 20th June 2009

Career (India)

Name: INS Brahmaputra

Namesake: River Brahmaputra

Builder: Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers, India

Commissioned: 14 April 2000

Nickname: The Raging Rhino

INS Brahmaputra (F31) is the lead ship of her class of guided missile frigates of the Indian Navy. She was built at the Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata.

The design and construction of the ship is entirely Indian, and is a modification of the Godavari class of frigates. It is fitted with an array of modern sensor suites and matching weapon systems. INS Brahmaputra was commissioned on April 14, 2000 by Captain Pradeep 'Billoo' Chauhan, VSM.

Presently commanded by Captain Philipose G Pynumootil, with Commander Rajat Gulati, Executive Officer, this 3,600-tonne ship is 125 metres (410 ft) long and can reach speeds of up to 30 knots. She operates the Westland Sea King helicopter and the MATCH (Multi Role Anti Submarine Torpedo Carrying Helicopter) helicopter, which is an ASW variant of the Chetak helicopter.

The Brahmaputra is the second ship of the Indian Navy named for the River Brahmaputra. The first vessel of the name was a Type 41,Leopard class frigate that was commissioned in 1958. The symbol of the INS Brahmaputra is 'The Raging Rhino', for the one-horned rhinonative to the Brahamaputra valley.