‘IMPHAL’ - Third Stealth Destroyer of Project 15B Delivered

The ‘IMPHAL’, Third Stealth Destroyer of Project 15B, built at Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL), was delivered to the Indian Navy.

About IMPHAL

• The Imphal is a guided missile destroyer and a follow-up to the Kolkata class (Project 15A) destroyers commissioned in the previous decade. It’s the third ship in its class, following the Indian Naval Ships Visakhapatnam and Mormugao, which were commissioned in the last two years. 
• The Imphal was designed by the Indian Navy’s Warship Design Bureau (WDB) and built by M/s Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd in Mumbai. 
• This ship is a symbol of indigenous shipbuilding and is one of the most technologically advanced warships in the world. 
• It has a displacement of 7,400 tons, an overall length of 164 meters, and is equipped with state-of-the-art weapons and sensors, including surface-to-air missiles, anti-ship missiles, and torpedoes. 
• The ship is powered by a Combined Gas and Gas (COGAG) propulsion set of four gas turbines, and is capable of achieving speeds in excess of 30 knots (56 km/h).
• The Imphal boasts of a high indigenous content of approximately 75%, which includes Medium Range Surface-to-Air Missiles (BEL, Bangalore), BrahMos Surface-to-Surface Missiles (BrahMos Aerospace, New Delhi), Indigenous Torpedo Tube Launchers (Larsen & Toubro, Mumbai), Anti-Submarine Indigenous Rocket Launchers (Larsen & Toubro, Mumbai) and 76mm Super Rapid Gun Mount (BHEL, Haridwar).
• Imphal’s keel was laid on 19th May, 2017, and the ship was launched into the water on 20th April, 2019. The ship sailed out for her maiden sea trials on 28th April, 2023, and has undergone a comprehensive schedule of trials in harbor and at sea, leading up to its delivery within a record timeframe of only six months. The time taken to build Imphal and conduct her trials is the shortest for any indigenous destroyer.
• The delivery of Imphal is a testament to the efforts of the Government of India and the Indian Navy towards 'AatmaNirbharBharat'. The induction of the destroyer is a tribute to the collaborative efforts of many stakeholders and will enhance the country's maritime power in the Indian Ocean Region.

Project-15B

• The Project 15B (P 15B) comprises four Guided Missile Destroyers, namely Visakhapatnam, Mormugao, Imphal, and Surat. 
• These destroyers are considered some of the most technologically advanced in the world, with an impressive array of weaponry and sensors, advanced stealth features, and high automation levels. 
• The destroyers are equipped with BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles and long-range Surface-to-Air Missiles (SAM). 
• With India's responsibilities to safeguard a 7516 km coastline, about 1100 offshore islands, and a 2.01 million sq km Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), the present political situation demands enhanced capabilities from the Indian Navy.
• The P-15B class destroyers will play a crucial role in the Indo-Pacific region, making the Indian Navy a formidable force.
• The guided missile destroyers are deployed for various responsibilities, including escort duties with the Carrier Battle Group, to protect the Naval fleet against any air, surface, and underwater threats.

Project 15A

Project 15A is a class of stealth guided-missile destroyers constructed for the Indian Navy. The class comprises three ships – Kolkata, Kochi and Chennai, all of which were built by Mazagon Dock Limited (MDL) in India.

Project 75 is a program initiated by the Indian Navy that aims to construct six Scorpene-Class attack submarines equipped with the Air Independent Propulsion system. The program is being executed with the help of French company Naval Group (formerly known as DCNS) at the Mazagon Dock Limited (MDL). The estimated cost of this project is Rs. 43,000 crore.

Six Scorpene-Class: INS Kalvari, INS Khanderi, INS Karanj, INS Vela, INS Vagir and INS Vagsheer.