Decommissioned Khukri Handed Over to Diu Administration

INS Khukri (P49), the first indigenously built missile corvette of Indian Navy, was handed over to the Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu (DNHDD) Administration on 26 January 2022. In the ceremony held at the INS Khukri Memorial, Diu, Flag Officer Doctrine and Concepts, Rear Admiral Ajay Vinay Bhave handed over the decommissioned ship formally to Administrator of the Union Territory of DNHDD & Lakshadweep, Praful Patel. The event included a performance by the Indian Navy Band and the illumination of naval ships at anchorage.

Prior to handing over the ship, Praful Patel was conducted around and briefed on the accomplishments and capabilities that she demonstrated while in service.

Speaking on the occasion, Admiral Bhave appreciated the administrator for this initiative of kick-starting the home-coming journey for INS Khukri. He also spoke about the sacrifice of Captain Mahendra Nath Mulla, MVC, and the brave men of the first INS Khukri to whose remembrance the grand Diu memorial remains dedicated.

Khukri is planned to be converted into a museum by the Diu Administration for public visits. The museum will be co-located with the existing Khukri Memorial, where the scaled-down version of the first INS Khukri (F149), a Blackwood class anti-submarine frigate is also placed.