Mumbai: The Western Naval Command Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief Vice Admiral Arun Prakash on September 23 said that induction of INS Trishul has made a deep impact on maritime balance of power in Asia.

Expressing satisfaction over induction of the ship, Prakash welcoming the ship in Mumbai, told reporters that, the second of the Talwar class frigates has enhanced the Defence potential of the Indian Navy at the sea.

He said Navy has chalked out an ambitious 15-year programme of inducting 20 more ships to increase its strength from 130 to 150.

INS Trishul, commissioned on June 23, is software based and all its control are computerised, he said, adding, the ship is equipped with surface to surface missile 'CLUB', anti-aircraft missile 'SHTIL' and 'KASHTAN', artillery gun, advanced Torpedo launchers and anti-submarine rocket launchers and missile.

He said the last ship of this project, INS Tavar, is presently undergoing trials in the Baltic Sea and is expected to be commissioned by year-end or January 2004.

Prakash said Naval base at Karwar, on the western coastline, was nearing completion and would help in decongesting of Mumbai Naval base.

Many countries, including the US, are very keen to carry out maritime exercise with the Indian Navy, the Vice Admiral said, adding US Naval Chief and the first sea lord of UK will be visiting the country in near future.

PTI