INS Godavari (F20)

INS Godavari (F20) was the lead ship of the Godavari-class frigates of the Indian Navy. She was commissioned on December 23, 1983, and decommissioned on December 23, 2015, after 32 years of service. Built indigenously at Mazagon Dock Limited in Mumbai, she represented a significant step in India's naval shipbuilding capabilities. The Godavari-class frigates were designed to provide a multi-role combat platform, capable of anti-air, anti-surface, and anti-submarine warfare.

Key features of the INS Godavari included a versatile array of weapons systems, including surface-to-surface missiles, surface-to-air missiles, anti-submarine rockets, and guns. She also carried helicopters, enhancing her surveillance and anti-submarine warfare capabilities. Throughout her service life, INS Godavari participated in numerous operations, including Operation Cactus in the Maldives in 1988, and played a crucial role in maritime security and humanitarian assistance efforts. Her decommissioning marked the end of an era, reflecting the evolution of the Indian Navy and the introduction of newer, more advanced warships. The ship was named after the Godavari River, the second longest river in India.