Kora-class

Summary

Description

The Kora-class corvettes serve as guided missile corvettes and are active in the Indian Navy and the National Coast Guard of Mauritius. Four vessels, designed for surface combat roles, were constructed by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers and then outfitted by Mazagon Dock Limited.

Designed under India’s Project 25A as a replacement for the Russian-designed Petya II-class corvettes, Kora-class corvettes' primary mission is to act as powerful surface combatants. They are equipped with a significant armament including 3M-24 anti-ship missiles, a 76 mm dual-purpose gun, two 30 mm Close-In Weapon Systems, and shoulder-launched anti-air Strela-2M missiles. Additionally, INS Kulish is outfitted with two Igla surface-to-air missile launchers. The sensor suite consists of MR-352 Pozitiv-E air or surface search radar, fire control radars, and the Ajanta P Mk II Electronic Support Measures system. For defense against incoming missiles and torpedoes, there are PK-10 chaff launchers and towed torpedo decoys.

Operational history highlights include INS Kora’s goodwill visit to Singapore in 2001, where it participated in the International Maritime Defence Exhibition (IMDEX) Asia 2001, reflecting India’s indigenous shipbuilding capabilities. Additionally, Mauritius ordered derivative vessels in 2012 for its national coastguard.

The Kora class boasts an impressive propulsion system with a top speed of 25 knots, an average speed of 16 knots, and a maximum range of 4,000 nautical miles, powered by two diesel engines each rated at 7,100 horsepower. The cost in 2001 was approximately ₹240 crore for each ship, with an inflation-adjusted equivalent cost in 2023 of around US$120 million. A simpler version exported to Mauritius in 2014 cost approximately ₹365 crore, equivalent to around US$73 million in 2023 values.

Technical specifications