The Indian Navy received its first indigenous P15B (Project 15 Bravo) class stealth guided-missile destroyer from Mazagon Dock shipyard Limited (MDL), Mumbai on October 28 2021, which is named ‘Visakhapatnam’ (Y 12704).
- The contract for four ships of Visakhapatnam class of Project 15 B (P15B) was signed in January 2011.
- The Visakhapatnam destroyer is a follow up of Kolkata class (15 A) destroyers.
Design and Construction
- Visakhapatnam is Designed by the Directorate of Naval Design, the Indian Navy’s Design Organisation and constructed by the MDL, Mumbai.
- Visakhapatnam will be commissioned from December 2021.
Features of Visakhapatnam Destroyer
i.The destroyer is 163 metres in length and 17.4 metres at beam and displaces 7,400 tonnes.
ii.These ships will be propelled by four gas turbines to achieve speed in excess of 30 knots.
iii.The Stealth guided-missile destroyer has the capability to launch guided anti-aircraft missiles from its deck which enhances the combat readiness of the Indian Navy.
iv.Along with indegenous equipment in the ‘Float and Move’ category, the destroyer is installed with major indegenous weapons,
- 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).
- 76mm Super Rapid Gun Mount (BHEL, Haridwar).
Note – The delivery of Visakhapatnam is an affirmation towards ‘Atma Nirbhar Bharat’ as part of 75 years of Indian Independence.
Role of P15B –Visakhapatnam
i.P15B ships will be equipped to carry and operate two multi-role helicopters.
ii.The destroyers incorporate new design concepts for improved survivability, sea keeping, stealth and maneuverability.
iii.The enhanced stealth features and the use of Radar transparent deck fittings makes the ship difficult to detect
Background:
i.In January 2011, the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) approved a new class of destroyers, to complement the Kolkata-class (P-15 A) destroyers.
ii.A contract was signed for a total of 4 vessels – Visakhapatnam, Mormugao, Imphal and Surat to be built under P 15B class to be built by MDL at the cost of about Rs 29,643.74.
Deployments:
i.The first-in-class ship was laid down in October 2013 and launched in April 2015.
ii.The Second INS Mormugao was launched in September 2016.
iii.The third ship, Imphal, was launched in April 2019.
iv.The fourth and final vessel of the class will be Porbandar which is expected to be launched in 2022.
Recent Related News
On September 6, 2021 Indian navy conducted the 1st ever maritime exercise with the Moroccan Navy.
- Indian Naval Ship INS Tabar, the 3rd warship of the Talwar class frigate built for Indian Navy in Russia participated in the Maritime Partnership Exercise with Royal Moroccan Navy Ship ‘Lieutenant colonel Arrahman’ off Casablanca Port as a part of its on-going four month deployment (June to September 2021), across Europe and africa.
About Indian Navy:
Chief of Naval Staff (CNS) – Admiral Karambir Singh
Integrated Headquarters of Ministry of Defence (Navy) – New Delhi, Delhi
