Indian Navy unveils cadet training ship 'Krishna' for future officers; induction by year-end

Apart from serving as a training platform, the ship is designed to undertake non-combatant evacuations, humanitarian aid and disaster relief, and search-and-rescue operations

• INS Krishna, a cadet training ship, commissioned by Indian Navy
• Ship serves as a floating classroom for hands-on sea training
• INS Krishna trains 200 cadets, supports humanitarian missions

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Indian naval cadets will now get to train aboard dedicated “floating classrooms” as the Indian Navy has commissioned ‘INS Krishna’, the first of three indigenously indigenously built cadet training ships (CTS).

Designed to overcome earlier limitations in sea-based training, these vessels function as “floating classrooms and living labs”, offering hands-on instruction in navigation, seamanship and watch-keeping under real maritime conditions.

The three ships are expected to form the core of the Navy’s sea training framework for the next three decades, with cadets embarking soon after completing their shore-based basic training.

Anupama Chauhan, wife of CDS general Anil Chauhan, launched INS Krishna on February 16 in the presence of Chauhan and senior officers from the armed forces and ship-builder Larsen & Toubro.

Designated Yard 18003, the vessel was constructed at the L&T shipyard in Kattupalli near Chennai. “The ship is indigenously designed and built by M/s L&T. Formal delivery of the ship to Indian Navy is planned in end 2026. These cadet training ships will be utilised for training officer cadets, including women, at sea after their basic training ashore, and cadets from friendly foreign countries,” according to a statement by the defence ministry.

“This is yet another significant milestone in Indian Navy’s pursuit towards indigenous shipbuilding and is in consonance with the Government of India’s vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India initiative,” the statement added.

Apart from serving as a training platform, the ship is designed to undertake non-combatant evacuations, humanitarian aid and disaster relief, and search-and-rescue operations.

INS Krishna can simultaneously accommodate 20 officers, 150 sailors and 200 cadets, according to a report by Times of India. The vessel features three classrooms with a capacity of 70 cadets each, along with a specialised training bridge and chart room. Displacing nearly 4,700 tonnes, it can achieve speeds of up to 20 knots and has an endurance of 60 days.