Defense Minister unveils Project 15B destroyer 'Imphal' crest at Yard 12706

Defense Minister Rajnath Singh unveiled Yard 12706 (Imphal), the third of the four Project 15B stealth guided missile destroyers to guard the Indian maritime border in the presence of Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh in New Delhi on November 28, 2023.

• CDS General Anil Chauhan, Naval Chief Admiral R Hari Kumar and other officials of the Ministry of Defense and Government of Manipur were also present on the occasion.

Tribute to the sacrifice of the people of Manipur:

• The top of this ship has been decorated with 'Kangla Palace' and 'Kangla-sa'. It is a tribute to the sacrifices of the people of Manipur for the independence, sovereignty and security of India.
• The design on the top of the ship depicts 'Kangla Palace' on the left and 'Kangla-sa' on the right.
• Kangla Palace is an important historical and archaeological site of Manipur. This palace used to be the residence of the Meitei kings of Manipur in ancient times.
• The 'Kangala-Sa', adorned with the figure of a dragon's head and a lion's body, is a mythological creature from the history of Manipur, and is known as the protector of its people.
• 'Kangla-Sa' is also the state symbol of Manipur.

Battleship Design:

• The warship has been designed by the Indian Naval Warship Design Bureau and built by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL), Mumbai. The ship is a hallmark of indigenous shipbuilding and is one of the most technologically advanced warships in the world. This ship was handed over by MDL to the Indian Navy on October 20, 2023.

Features of Warship:

• The draft of this ship is 7,400 tons and the length is 164 meters. This destroyer ship is equipped with state-of-the-art weapons and systems.
• This warship includes surface-to-air missiles, anti-ship missiles and torpedoes.
• It is capable of achieving a speed of more than 30 knots (56 km per hour).
• More than 75 percent indigenous equipment has been used in the ship:
  • Medium Range Surface to Air Missiles (BEL, Bangalore)
  • BrahMos surface-to-surface missiles (BrahMos Aerospace, New Delhi)
  • Indigenous Torpedo Tube Launcher (Larsen & Toubro, Mumbai)
  • Indigenous anti-submarine rocket launcher (Larsen & Toubro, Mumbai)
  • 76 mm Super Rapid Gun Mount (Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited, Haridwar)

Background of Yard 12706 (Imphal):

• Imphal was laid down on May 19, 2017 and the ship was launched on April 20, 2019.
• The ship departed for its maiden sea trials on April 28, 2023 and has undergone an extensive program of trials in port and at sea, leading to its handing over to the Army on October 20, 2023, within a record time-frame of six months.
• As part of the trials, the ship recently successfully test fired an extended range BrahMos missile. The indigenous destroyer Imphal has been built and tested in a very short period of time.
• The delivery of the ship represents a boost towards 'self-reliant India'. It is a maritime tradition and a naval custom according to which many Indian Navy ships are named after major cities, mountain ranges, rivers, ponds and islands.