New Delhi, June 29: In a significant development, India has gifted an active warship INS Kirpan to Vietnam, marking a maiden occasion of gifting a fully-operational corvette by India to any nation. Departing from India's east coast, the domestically-constructed missile corvette INS Kirpan set sail on Wednesday.

 

 

 

 

The Indian Navy said in a statement the transfer of the Kirpan "reflects India's commitment to assist its like-minded partners in enhancing their capacity and capability. This is the maiden occasion of gifting a fully-operational corvette by India to any Friendly Foreign Country."

 

During the recent visit of Gen Phan Van Giang, Minister of Defence of Vietnam, to India from 17 – 19 Jun 23, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh had announced gifting of in-service missile corvette INS Kirpan to Vietnam.

 INS Kirpan is the third indigenously built Khukri class missile corvette, currently in active service in the Indian Navy. The ship is fitted with an array of weapons and sensors and has participated in various operational and humanitarian assistance operations. Equipped with medium-range and close-range guns, chaff launchers, and surface-to-surface missiles, the corvette is a formidable addition to Vietnam's maritime capabilities. However, it remains undisclosed if the transfer includes missiles.

 

 

 

This comes in the backdrop of Chinese aggression over the entirety of the South China Sea, that has led to several concerns by foreign militaries in the region. Besides, in recent years, India and Vietnam have been reinforcing their bilateral ties, with a particular focus on defense collaboration. Both nations harbor concerns regarding the growing assertiveness of China.

 

While India has previously provided smaller vessels and military equipment to countries like Maldives, Mauritius, and even a submarine to Myanmar, the gifting of a corvette to Vietnam holds immense significance, reported Reuters.

 

 

 

In response to the diplomatic development, Chinese Defense Minister Li Shangfu, following a meeting with his Vietnamese counterpart, expressed Beijing's willingness to collaborate with Hanoi in strengthening high-level communication and cooperation.