By Raju Vernekar
Mumbai, Apr 29:
“Imphal”, Indian Navy’s third indigenous stealth destroyer of the Project 15B class, planned to be commissioned later this year, undertook her maiden sea sortie from Mazagon Docks in South Mumbai on Friday.
The ship incorporates several niche technologies and high indigenous content and is designed in-house by the Navy’s Warship Design Bureau and constructed by Mazagon Dock Ltd. (MDL) stands proud testimony to the Indian Navy’s thrust on the national vision of “Aatma Nirbhar Bharat” (self-reliant India) and “Make in India” initiative.
“Imphal” will have the unique distinction of being the largest and most advanced destroyer to be ever named after a city from the North-East. “Imphal” would thus be a befitting symbol of the growing importance and contribution of the North-Eastern region and the state of Manipur towards national security and development, an official statement read..
“Imphal” will add significantly to the Indian Navy’s combat capabilities. With the recent commissioning of her predecessor “INS Mormugao” in December 2022 and the fifth Project 75 submarine “INS Vagir” in January 2023, commencement of sea trials of “Imphal” is yet another important milestone in MDL’s continued contribution towards building a strong, modern and self-reliant India, the statement added.
According to the Indian Navy, the P15B destroyers incorporate new design concepts for improved survivability, seakeeping, stealth, and maneuverability. Enhanced stealth features have been achieved through the shaping of the hull and the use of radar-transparent deck fittings which make these ships difficult to detect.
The Visakhapatnam-class destroyers, also classified as the P-15 Bravo class, or P-15B, is a class of guided-missile destroyers being built for the Indian Navy. The Visakhapatnam class is an upgraded derivative of its predecessor, the Kolkata class, with improved features of stealth, automation and ordnance. The first vessel of the class, INS Visakhapatnam was commissioned on November21, 2021. The IN plans to have all four destroyers in active service by next year.
