By Xinhua
Kuwait City : Two Indian naval ships are to arrive at the Shuwaikh Port of Kuwait on a goodwill visit scheduled for Aug 14-18, the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) reported Sunday.
The visit of the INS Rajput and INS Betwa will be an important addition to the development of the historical and friendly partnership between India and Kuwait, KUNA said, quoting a statement issued by the Indian embassy in Kuwait.
The INS Rajput, which has a crew of 27 officers and 371 sailors, forms the backbone of the Eastern Fleet as its combat capacity has been enhanced by the successful firing of the BrahMos surface-to-surface missile.
The INS Betwa marks another milestone in the Indian Navy as the ship is Indian in design, construction, propulsion package as well as her state-of-the-art sensor and weapon suite.
The 3,600-tonne ship is powered by two steam turbines and is capable of speeds in excess of 30 knots. It has a crew of 30 officers and 300 sailors.
The last goodwill visit to Kuwait by Indian naval ships was in December 2003.