22nd Missile Vessel Squadron | |
---|---|
Founded | October 1991 |
Country | India |
Branch | Indian Navy |
Type | Squadron |
Part of | Maharashtra Naval Area |
Headquarters | Mumbai |
Nickname(s) | Killer Squadron |
Commanders | |
Notable commanders | Commodore Babru Bhan Yadav, MVC (as K25) |
The 22nd Missile Vessel Squadron, commonly referred to as the Killer Squadron, is a formation of the Indian Navy, composed primarily of Veer-class corvettes. [1] This squadron, based in Mumbai, was officially established in October 1991 with a complement of ten Veer-class and three Prabal-class missile boats. However, the roots of the Killer Squadron trace back to 1969, when the Indian Navy inducted Osa-class missile boats from the Soviet Union. These vessels were transported to India on heavy lift merchant ships and were commissioned in early 1971 at Kolkata. The squadron quickly demonstrated its prowess in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971, playing a decisive role in the conflict.
The Killer Squadron earned its name through its heroic actions during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971. On the night of December 4–5, 1971, the squadron launched a surprise offensive, codenamed Operation Trident, against the Pakistan Navy. The Indian Navy ships INS Nirghat, INS Nipat, and INS Veer fired their Styx missiles, sinking the Pakistan Navy destroyer PNS Khyber and the minesweeper PNS Muhafiz. This operation dealt a significant blow to the Pakistan Navy, with no casualties sustained by the Indian forces.
Following this, on the night of December 8–9, 1971, the squadron executed another successful operation, Operation Python. The INS Vinash, accompanied by two frigates, launched four Styx missiles, sinking the Pakistan Navy's fleet tanker PNS Dacca and causing significant damage to the Keamari Oil Storage Facility in Karachi. The Indian forces did not suffer any casualties during this operation.
The success of these operations not only established the Killer Squadron's reputation but also led to December 4 being celebrated as Navy Day in India, commemorating the squadron's decisive role in the 1971 war.
The 22nd Missile Vessel Squadron's vessels are named in honor of the legendary 25th Killer Missile Boat Squadron, known for its daring actions during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971. This includes their pivotal roles in Operation Trident and Operation Python, where they were instrumental in sinking multiple Pakistani naval vessels.
The last two ships of the Veer-class in this squadron were upgraded to Tarantul V models. These vessels were outfitted with advanced weaponry, including 16 SS-N-25 'Switchblade' (URAN E) missiles, an OTO Melara 76 mm naval gun, and the MR 352 Positiv-E (NATO: Cross Dome) radar system.
On April 28, 2016, INS Veer and INS Nipat, two of the oldest Veer-class corvettes, were decommissioned, marking the end of an era for the Indian Navy.
The year 2021 marked the 50th anniversary of the 1971 victory, celebrated nationwide as Swarnim Vijay Varsh. It also marked five decades since the inception of the Killer Squadron. Over the years, the squadron has maintained its reputation as the "tip of the Sword Arm" of the Indian Navy, participating in key operations such as Operation Vijay, Operation Parakram, and most recently, during heightened security following the Pulwama attack, where it was deployed within striking distance of the Pakistan coast.
The 22nd Missile Vessel Squadron has earned numerous battle honors, including one Maha Vir Chakra, seven Vir Chakras, and eight Nausena Medals (Gallantry).
The squadron's distinguished service was recognized when it was awarded the President's Standard, [2] a tribute to the men who have rendered invaluable service to the nation as part of the Killer Squadron.
HMS Charity was a C-class destroyer of the Royal Navy laid down by John I. Thornycroft and Company of Woolston, Southampton on 9 July 1943. She was launched on 30 November 1944 and commissioned on 19 November 1945. She was sold to the US Navy in 1958, for transfer to the Pakistan Navy as a part of the Military Aid Program.
The P-15 Termit is an anti-ship missile developed by the Soviet Union's Raduga design bureau in the 1950s. Its GRAU designation was 4K40, its NATO reporting name was Styx or SS-N-2. China acquired the design in 1958 and created at least four versions: the CSS-N-1 Scrubbrush and CSS-N-2 versions were developed for ship-launched operation, while the CSS-C-2 Silkworm and CSS-C-3 Seersucker were used for coastal defence. Other names for this basic type of missile include: HY-1, SY-1, and FL-1 Flying Dragon, North Korean local produced KN-1 or KN-01, derived from both Silkworm variants and Russian & USSR P-15, Rubezh, P-20 P-22.
HMS Cadiz was a Battle-class destroyer of the Royal Navy. She was named after the Battle of Cádiz, in which the French besieged the Spanish town in 1810, which was eventually lifted in 1812 after the French defeat at the Battle of Salamanca.
A missile boat or missile cutter is a small, fast warship armed with anti-ship missiles. Being smaller than other warships such as destroyers and frigates, missile boats are popular with nations interested in forming a navy at lower cost. They are similar in concept to the torpedo boats of World War II; in fact, the first missile boats were modified torpedo boats with the torpedo tubes replaced by missile tubes.
Operation Trident was an offensive operation launched by the Indian Navy on Pakistan's port city of Karachi during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971. Operation Trident saw the first use of anti-ship missiles in combat in the region. The operation was conducted on the night of 4–5 December and inflicted heavy damage on Pakistani vessels and facilities. While India suffered no losses, Pakistan lost a minesweeper, a destroyer, a cargo vessel carrying ammunition, and fuel storage tanks in Karachi. Another destroyer was also badly damaged and eventually scrapped. India celebrates its Navy Day annually on 4 December to mark this operation. Trident was followed up by Operation Python three days later.
Operation Python, a follow-up to Operation Trident, was the code name of a naval attack launched on West Pakistan's port city of Karachi by the Indian Navy during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971. After the first attack during Operation Trident on the Port of Karachi, Pakistan stepped up aerial surveillance of its coast as the presence of large Indian Navy ships gave the impression that another attack was being planned. Pakistani warships attempted to outsmart the Indian Navy by mingling with merchant shipping. To counter these moves, Operation Python was launched on the night of 8/9 December 1971. A strike group consisting of one missile boat and two frigates attacked the group of ships off the coast of Karachi. While India suffered no losses, Pakistani fleet tanker PNS Dacca was damaged beyond repair, and the Kemari Oil Storage facility was lost. Two other foreign ships stationed in Karachi were also sunk during the attack.
The Veer-class corvettes of the Indian Navy are a customised Indian variant of the Soviet Tarantul class. They form the 22nd Missile Vessel Squadron.
The Vidyut-class missile boats of the Indian Navy were an Indian variant of the Soviet Osa I class.
INS Veer (K82) (Brave) was a Vidyut-class missile boat of the Indian Navy.
INS Vinash (K85) (Destruction) was a Vidyut-class missile boat of the 25th Killer Missile Boat Squadron of the Indian Navy.
INS Nipat (K86) was a Vidyut-class missile boat of the Indian Navy. It was part of the 25th "Killer" Missile squadron.
'INS Nirghat (K89) was a Vidyut-class missile boat of the Indian Navy.
The following ships of the Indian Navy have been named INS Nipat:
The Indo-Pakistani Naval War of 1971 refers to the maritime military engagements between the Indian Navy and the Pakistan Navy during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971. The series of naval operations began with the Indian Navy's exertion of pressure on Pakistan from the Indian Ocean, while the Indian Army and Indian Air Force moved in to choke Pakistani forces operating in East Pakistan on land. Indian naval operations comprised naval interdiction, air defence, ground support, and logistics missions.
PNS Muhafiz was an Adjutant-class minesweeper of the Pakistan Navy. It was built by the United States for transfer to Pakistan. PNS Muhafiz was sunk by a missile from INS Veer of the Indian Navy during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971.
PNS Zulfiqar was a River-class frigate of the Pakistan Navy, originally built for the Royal Navy during the Second World War as HMS Deveron. Zulfiqar was damaged beyond repair by friendly fire from aircraft of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) which mistook her for a missile boat of the Indian Navy during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971.
Lt. Com. Bahadur Nariman KavinaVrC was a prominent Indian naval officer, who was commanding officer of the INS Nipat. During the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971, Kavina was the chief architect of attack on the Port of Karachi and led the successful attack on Pakistani Navy headquarters.
Commodore Babru Bhan Yadav, MVC, also known as B.B. Yadav, was a former Indian Navy Officer. He led the 25th Missile Boat Squadron during Operation Trident in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971.
The Western Fleet is a Naval fleet of the Indian Navy. It is known as the 'Sword Arm' of the Indian Navy. It is headquartered at Mumbai, Maharashtra on the west coast of India. It is a part of the Western Naval Command and is responsible for the naval forces in the Arabian Sea and parts of the Indian Ocean.
Commodore Kasargod Patnashetti Gopal Rao MVC, VSM was an officer in the Indian Navy notable for his participation in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 and was awarded the Maha Vir Chakra for his outstanding contributions during Operation Trident.