INS Ganga on swansong sortie

The guided missile frigate, INS Ganga, will enter harbour under its own steam for the last time on 27 May.

It will certainly be a nostalgic moment for the Navy, for the ship will be placed in the non-operational category commencing 28 May, followed by decommissioning before the end of the year, after 32 years of glorious service.

The ship was commissioned on 30 December 1985 at Mumbai. Presently in her 24th Commission, the ship is commanded by Captain NP Pradeep. Despite her vintage, she still retains her capabilities in all three dimensions of naval warfare.

It is a testimony to the resilience of the ship and her crew that she will sail into Mumbai flying the flag of Rear Admiral RB Pandit, Flag Officer Commanding Western Fleet straight from a 45-day long active patrol in the Northern Arabian Sea guarding the nation’s maritime borders till her last operational day.

INS Ganga is also affiliated to the Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry (JAKLI) of the Indian Army, and has built this association over many years.