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{{About|the automatic cannon|modular one-man turret|INS Kalpeni}}
{{more citations needed|date=September 2022}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2022}}

{{infobox weapon
|name = CRN-91 naval gun
|image = File:CRN-91 on ICGS Shaunak.jpg
|caption = CRN-91 on ICGS Shaunak
|origin = [[India]]
|type = [[Autocannon]]

|is_ranged = yes
|is_artillery =
|is_UK =

|service =1995
|used_by = [[India]] [[Mauritius]] [[Maldives]] [[Seychelles]] [[Sri Lanka]]
|wars =

|manufacturer = [[Ordnance Factory Medak]]
|unit_cost =
|production_date = 1995

|spec_label =
|weight = {{convert|115|kg|lb}}
|length = {{convert|3.027|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
|part_length = 
|width =
|height =
|diameter =
|crew =
|passengers =

|cartridge = 30×165
|cartridge_weight =
|caliber = [[30 mm caliber|30 mm]]
|barrels = 1
|action = [[Gas-operated]]
|rate = 200 to 300 rds/min (low) 550 rds/min (high)<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.minotor-service.com/en/2a42-30mm-cannon.html|title = 2A42 30mm Automatic Cannon - Minotor-Service, Minsk, Belarus}}</ref>
|velocity = 
|range = {{convert|4000|m|yd}}
|max_range =
|feed = Twin feed
|sights =
}}

The ''' Close Range Naval-91''' is a naval version of the [[Medak 30mm automatic gun]] installed on the Sarath Infantry fighting vehicle, a variant of the Russian (originally Soviet) [[BMP-2#India|BMP-2]] manufactured in India under license by the [[Ordnance Factory Medak]]. The Medak gun itself is based on the Russian [[Shipunov 2A42]] 30 mm automatic cannon.

== Description ==
The CRN-91 Naval gun is gyro stabilized and is directed by electro-optic [[fire-control system]] (FCS) of Bharat Electronic LTD make for day and night use, mounted on an improvised cupola. It can also be remotely operated.

The CRN-91 Naval gun is not a sophisticated weapon but its operational cost is very low. It is suited for vessels primarily designed for peacetime patrolling and policing, particularly for anti-insurgency, anti-smuggling, anti-pirate and maritime surveillance of [[exclusive economic zone]]s (EEZ).

It has been installed on many warships such as:
*[[Samudra Class Pollution Control Vessel]]
*[[Samarth Class]]
*[[Aadesh Class Fast Patrol Vessel]]
*[[Car Nicobar class fast attack craft]]
*[[Kumbhir class landing ship]]
*[[Shardul class landing ship]]
*[[Trinkat class patrol vessel]]
*[[Bangaram class patrol vessel]]
*[[Rani Abbakka Class]]
*[[ABG Class Pollution Control Vessel]]
*[[Rajshree class inshore patrol vessel]]
*[[5-Series class : Fast Attack Craft]]
*[[Vikram-class offshore patrol vessel (1983)|Vikram-class offshore patrol vessel]]

==Combat use==

===Action of 30 March 2010===
{{Main|Action of 30 March 2022}}

The ''Topaz'', a [[Trinkat class patrol vessel]] of the [[Seychelles Coast Guard]], was sent out on an anti-piracy patrol during late March as part of a new initiative by the Government of Seychelles to combat the steady increase in Somali piracy. The Topaz was a former [[Indian Navy]] ship which was given to the Seychelles Coast Guard to help them combat piracy.

On 30 April, the Topaz approached a captured vessel where nine Somali pirates were holding six Seychellois and 21 Iranian sailors hostage, and were attempting to reach the Somali coast. A Somali translator aboard the ''Topaz'' sent audio calls urging the immediate release of the hostages, but the pirates ignored these demands, and continued towards the coast of Somalia even when warning shots were fired by the ''Topaz''. Seychellois President [[James Michel]] gave the order to prevent the pirates from reaching the Somali coastline at all cost.

The pirates opened fire on the ''Topaz'' with rocket-propelled grenades, which the ''Topaz'' evaded. The ''Topaz'' then opened fire on the dhow's engine with 12.7mm machine guns, firing a total of 100 rounds. The engine caught fire, forcing all of the pirates and hostages to jump overboard. The ''Topaz'' then rescued all of the hostages and arrested the Somali pirates.<ref>{{cite web|title=Seychelles coastguard vessel rescues fishermen from Somali pirates|url=http://www.france24.com/en/20100329-seychelles-coastguard-vessel-rescues-fisherman-somali-pirates-indian-ocean-piracy|work=France 24|publisher=France Télévisions|date=29 March 2010|accessdate=1 January 2022}}</ref> While en route back to the Seychelles, the ''Topaz'' was approached by Somali pirates in a [[naval trawler]] and two [[skiff]]s. The pirates opened fire on the ''Topaz'', after which the ''Topaz'' returned fire. The pirate trawler caught fire and exploded after being hit, and a skiff was also sunk by the return fire, while the last skiff managed to escape. The ''Topaz'' then proceeded to [[Mahé, Seychelles|Mahé]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Thome |first=Wolfgang H. |url=http://www.eturbonews.com/15190/seychelles-coast-guard-intercepts-pirates-and-rescues-crew |title=Robust Response Seychelles Coast Guard intercepts pirates and rescues crew |publisher=eTurboNews.com |date=30 March 2010 |access-date=19 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110710203745/http://www.eturbonews.com/15190/seychelles-coast-guard-intercepts-pirates-and-rescues-crew# |archive-date=10 July 2011 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.france24.com/en/20100330-seychelles-coastguard-destroys-two-pirate-boats|title=Seychelles coastguard destroys two pirate boats|work=France 24|publisher=France Télévisions|date=30 March 2010|accessdate=19 May 2022}}{{Dead link|date=November 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

===Battle off Minicoy Island===
In January 2011, as a part of [[Car Nicobar class fast attack craft#Operation Island Watch|Operation Island Watch]], INS Cankarso and INS Kalpeni were deployed on anti-piracy patrol to the west of the Lakshadweep archipelago.
On 28 January, INS Cankarso responded to a mayday call from a container ship. Upon reaching the site, she saw Somali pirate skiffs being hoisted aboard a hijacked Thai fishing trawler, Prantalay 14 which was being used as a pirate mother ship.

INS Cankarso ordered the pirated ship to stop for inspection. The pirates on board fired on Cankarso as they tried to flee west towards Somalia. Cankarso returned the fire, which hit some of the fuel drums stored on Prantalay 14's deck for refueling the skiffs. The mother ship was set ablaze and sank as Kalpeni and Indian Coast Guard patrol vessel ICGS Sankalp reached the site. 15 pirates were arrested, and the 20 crew of the fishing trawler were all rescued unharmed.

In another operation on 13 March 2011, an Indian Navy patrol aircraft spotted the Mozambique-registered fishing vessel Vega 5 when responding to another vessel reporting a pirate attack. Beira-based Vega 5, owned by Spanish company Pescamar Lda, had been captured on 27 December 2010 by pirates who were demanding US$1.8 million in ransom.[15] INS Kalpeni intercepted the pirated ship about 1,100 kilometres (680 mi) off Kochi on India's west coast. A fire broke out on the vessel when Kalpeni returned fire after being fired upon by the pirates. 61 pirates were rescued and arrested after they jumped into the Arabian Sea to escape the fire. The crew of Kalpeni put out the fire on board the Vega 5, rescued her 13 crew members and escorted her to Mumbai. Rocket-propelled grenades and over 80 assault rifles were recovered from the pirates.

INS Kalpeni and INS Cankarso are [[Car Nicobar class fast attack craft]] equipped with a CRN-91 30 mm Automatic gun.

== Specification ==
* Caliber: 30 mm
* Diameter: 2700 mm
* Height: 2100 mm
* Gun feed: Double belt separate

'''Rate of Fire'''
* Sustained: 200 to 300 rounds per min
* Maximum: 550 rounds per min

'''Range'''
* Armour-piercing tracer projectile: 2000 m
* HE incendiary and fragmentation tracer projectile: 4000 m

'''Sight'''

Type: BPK 2–42

Day system
* Magnification: 6X
* Field of view at least: 10°
* Periscope height: 221 mm
Night system
* Magnification at least: 5.5X
* Field of view at least: 6°40′
* Periscope height: 248 mm

== References ==
<references />

==External links==
*[http://ofbindia.gov.in/products/data/weapons/wmc/9-crn-91-naval-gun.jpg CRN-91 Naval gun picture]
*[http://ofbindia.gov.in/products/data/weapons/wmc/9.htm Ordnance Factory Board]

[[Category:Autocannon]]
[[Category:30 mm artillery]]
[[Category:Naval artillery]]
[[Category:Artillery of India]]

CRN 91 naval gun - Revision history

Bot at 20:26, 26 September 2022