INS Khukri (P49) is the lead vessel of her class

Khukri class corvette

The Khukri class corvettes were intended to replace the ageing Petya II Class corvettes of the Indian Navy.The first two were ordered in December 1984 and the remaining in 1985. The diesel engines are assembled in India, under license by Kirloskar Group. Around 65% of the ship contains indigenous...

 of corvette

Corvette

A corvette is a small, maneuverable, lightly armed warship, originally smaller than a frigate and larger than a coastal patrol craft or fast attack craft , although many recent designs resemble frigates in size and role...

s, currently in service with the Indian Navy

Indian Navy

The Indian Navy is the naval branch of the armed forces of India. The President of India serves as the Commander-in-Chief of the Navy. The Chief of Naval Staff , usually a four-star officer in the rank of Admiral, commands the Navy...

. The ship is named after INS Khukri, the only Indian Navy ship ever lost in combat. The previous was sunk by a torpedo strike by PNS Hangor during the 1971 Indian Pakistan war. The ship's Captain Mahendra Nath Mulla

Mahendra Nath Mulla

Captain Mahendra Nath Mulla, was an officer of the Indian Navy and the Captain of the INS Khukri, who went down with his ship during the 1971 war on the old tradition, "captains don't abandon their ships".He was reported to be in a saluting gesture while sinking down with Khukri...

 who went down with the ship standing on the deck, was awarded the Maha Vir Chakra

Maha Vir Chakra

The Maha Vir Chakra is the second highest military decoration in India and is awarded for acts of conspicuous gallantry in the presence of the enemy, whether on land, at sea or in the air. It may be awarded posthumously. Literally Maha Veer means extraordinarily brave.-Appearance:The medal is made...

posthumously.