Indian Naval Ship Dronacharya, a Gunnery and Missile training establishment, was commissioned into the #IndianNavy on 27 November 1978. Over the past four decades, the unit has established itself as the ‘Centre of Excellence’ in Missile and Gunnery training. Guided by the motto ‘Hit First, Hit Hard’, the establishment has ensured quality, practical oriented training to all gunnery specialisation officers and sailors of the Indian Navy, Indian Coast Guard as well as Friendly Foreign Countries, to enable them man and operate state-of-the-art weapon systems onboard naval platforms, so as to unerringly deliver ordnance on target. The unit’s operational role include seaward defence and surveillance off Kochi harbour, providing radar cover for night flying over sea, fire return gun salutes to saluting ships on behalf of the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Naval Command and co-ordinate proof and trial firings as requisitioned by the Naval Armament Depot (NAD), Alwaye and Naval Armament Inspectorate (NAI). The establishment also trains civilian personnel from NAD and NAI and Marine Forces of the State Police. The major courses that the unit conducts are Long Gunnery and Sub Lieutenant (X) Technical courses for IN, ICG and foreign naval officers. The unit is the Nodal Centre for the Sagar Prahari Bal and conducts course for IN officers and sailors on asymmetric warfare, as well as for the Sri Lankan Navy and Maldives National Defence Force. INS Dronacharya has been affiliated to the #IndianArmy School of Artillery, Deolali and there is regular interaction between the units. ‘Dronacharya’ has been named after the great teacher of the Kauravas and Pandavas in Mahabharata, who taught war fighting skills. The top segment of the crest depicts an ancient bow and arrow, the weapons used by Guru Dronacharya. The left and right segments of the crest depict a conventional gun and a missile respectively. The wavy lines dividing the three segments symbolise the confluence of back waters with the Arabian Sea at Kochi. The motto in Sanskrit ‘Kuru Prharam Prathame’ means, ‘Strike First’. Best NDA class in pune ( Dignitary )