New Delhi: The frontline missile destroyer of the Indian Navy - INS Ranjit, would be decommissioned at the naval dockyard on May 6, after serving the country for nearly 36 years.
INS Ranjit, the third of the five Kashin-class destroyers built by the erstwhile USSR, was commissioned in 1983, according to a Navy press release here Thursday.
The ship was commissioned as INS Ranjit on September 15' 1983, with Captain Vishnu Bhagwat at the helm. The officer went on to serve as the Chief of Naval Staff during 1996-98.
Over the years, the ship had the distinction of serving in both western and eastern seaboard and has been the flagship of both the western and eastern Fleets.
With a motto of 'Sada Rane Jayate' or 'Ever Victorious in Battle', INS Ranjit has been at the forefront in keeping the nation secure and participated in a number of operations. Some of these include IPKF operations, Operation Talwar during Kargil conflict. In 2003, the ship was deployed off Mozambique to provide security cover to the African Union Summit.
The ship was also actively deployed as part of relief operations post-2004 tsunami and cyclone Hud-hud in 2014. In recognition of her service, the ship was awarded Unit Citation in 2003-04 and 2009-10, the release said.
Besides, the ship has seen many admirals who went on to become the Chiefs of Naval Staff. She has been manned by 27 commissions with the last commission taking charge of the ship on June 6' 2017.
As the sun sets on May 9' 2019, the naval ensign and the commissioning pennant would be lowered for the last time onboard INS Ranjit, symbolising the end of the Ranjit era in the Indian Navy.
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