INDIA. Mumbai: The third Stealth Destroyer of Project 15B Class was delivered to the Indian Navy by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) at a function organised at the MDL complex in South Mumbai on Friday.
The Acceptance Document was signed by Sanjeev Singhal, Chairman and Managing Director, MDL, and Real Admiral Sanjay Sadhu, CSO (Tech), Indian Navy, in the presence of Commanding Officer (Designate) Capt K K Choudhury, MDL Directors, Warship Overseeing Team (MB), and Navy personnel.
“Imphal,” named after the North Eastern Indian state, is constructed using Indigenous Steel DMR 249A and is among the largest destroyers constructed in India, with an overall length of 164 metres and a displacement of over 7500 tons. The ship is a powerful platform that may be used for a wide range of missions and duties covering every facet of maritime combat. It is equipped with supersonic Surface-to-Surface “Brahmos” missiles and “Barak-8” Medium Range Surface to Air Missiles.
The destroyer is equipped with locally built anti-submarine weapons and sensors, most notably the heavy-weight torpedo tube launchers, ASW rocket launchers, and hull-mounted Sonar Humsa NG, in order to enhance its underwater warfare capabilities. The ship may serve as the flagship of a naval task force and operate autonomously without the need for supporting vessels.
Imphal was delivered to the Indian Navy more than four months ahead of the contractual time as the most combat-worthy platform to date. The ship has completed all Sea Trials in 03 CSTs (Contractor’s Sea Trials) including the firing of major critical weapons in the very first CST. The ship is the first amongst all P15B ships to be fitted with upgraded “Brahmos” missiles that have dual-role capabilities of long-range and land attack.
In addition, Imphal is the first warship in the Navy to be put into service with accommodations for female sailors and officers. With a crew of 312 and a range of 4000 nautical miles, the ship can complete a standard 42-day mission with an extended mission period in out-of-area operations. The indigenous content of P15B Class Destroyers is 72%, which is a notch above their predecessors, P15A (59%) and P15 (42%) Class Destroyers.
On November 21, 2021, the first Ship of P15B (Visakhapatnam) was put into service. On December 18, 2022, the second ship, Mormugao, was put into service.
On October 20, third vessel “Imphal” was delivered to the Indian Navy. Launched on May 17, 2022, the fourth ship, “Surat,” is currently at an advanced outfitting stage.
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