INS Brahmaputra (F31) is the lead vessel of her class of guided missile frigates in the Indian Navy, constructed entirely in India at the Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) in Kolkata. Commissioned on 14 April 2000 by Captain Pradeep 'Billoo' Chauhan, VSM, the ship represents a modified design based on the Godavari class, emphasizing indigenous development. She displaces approximately 3,600 tonnes, measures 125 meters (410 feet) in length, and can attain speeds of up to 30 knots (56 km/h). The vessel is equipped with advanced sensor suites and modern weapon systems, tailored for multi-role operations, including anti-air, anti-surface, and anti-submarine warfare. She operates one Westland Sea King helicopter and the MATCH (Multi-Role Anti-Submarine Torpedo Carrying Helicopter), an anti-submarine variant of the Chetak helicopter, enhancing her maritime patrol and anti-submarine capabilities. Throughout her service, INS Brahmaputra has participated in notable operations and exercises. In July 2006, under Captain Kapil Gupta, she was part of Task Force 54 returning from the Mediterranean, when she was diverted to assist during Operation Sukoon amid the Israeli-Lebanese conflict, monitoring and ensuring the safety of Indian nationals in Lebanon. In 2009, she was deployed to Europe, participating in joint exercises with the Royal Navy (Exercise Konkan-09) and the French Navy (Exercise Varuna 2009), showcasing her interoperability with allied navies. A significant incident occurred on 21 July 2024, when during a major retrofit at Mumbai Naval Dockyard, INS Brahmaputra experienced a major fire that caused her to list approximately 40-45° to port. The fire was contained by firefighting teams, but the ship listed further, and a junior sailor, Leading Seaman Sitendra Singh, was reported missing and later recovered. The incident prompted an extensive investigation, and foreign specialists were engaged for salvage operations. By November 2024, the vessel was righted using balloon-like structures and moved to a dry dock. Repair and assessment efforts suggested that the ship would be fully operational again by mid-2026, with the "float" and "move" capabilities restored by early 2026, and the "fight" capabilities by mid-2026. INS Brahmaputra remains a vital component of India's naval capabilities, symbolizing indigenous shipbuilding and multi-role operational proficiency, despite recent setbacks.

This description has been generated using GPT-4.1-NANO based on the Vessel's wikidata information and then modified by ShipIndex.org staff.