‘INS IMPHAL’ -Third Stealth Destroyer of Project 15B delivered to the Indian Navy
Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) has delivered the Indian Navy the third Stealth Destroyer of the Project 15B Class Guided Missile Destroyer, Yard 12706 (IMPHAL). Shri Sanjeev Singhal, Chairman & Managing Director, MDL, and RAdm Sanjay Sadhu, AVSM, NM, CSO (Tech) signed the Acceptance Document today at MDL in the presence of Commanding Officer (Designate) Capt K K Choudhury, MDL Directors, WOT(MB), and Navy personnel.
The ship is made of indigenous steel DMR 249A and is one of India's largest destroyers, with an overall length of 164 meters and a displacement of over 7500 tons. The ship is a powerful platform capable of performing a wide range of activities and missions throughout the whole spectrum of maritime combat.
It is equipped with supersonic 'Brahmos' surface-to-surface missiles and medium-range 'Barak-8' surface-to-air missiles. The Destroyer is outfitted with indigenously produced anti-submarine weaponry and sensors, most notably the Hull mounted Sonar Humsa NG, Heavy weight Torpedo Tube Launchers, and ASW Rocket Launchers.
The IMPHAL's all-round capability against enemy submarines, surface warships, anti-ship missiles, and fighter aircraft will allow it to operate independently without supporting vessels, as well as function as the flagship of a Naval task force.
The most battle worthy platform to date, IMPHAL, was delivered to the Indian Navy more than four months ahead of schedule. This reinforces MDL's dedication to ongoing development and, in most cases, exceeding global norms. This ship passed all Sea Trials in three CSTs (Contractor's Sea Trials), including the discharge of vital armaments in the first CST.
The ship is the first of all P15B ships to be outfitted with updated Brahmos missiles capable of both long-range and land assault. Furthermore, IMPHAL is the first Naval Warship to be commissioned with space for female officers and crew.
The ship has a crew of 312 people, a range of 4000 nautical miles, and can complete a regular 42-day mission with extended mission length in out-of-area operations. To further expand its reach, the ship has two helicopters on board. The ship is driven by a strong Combined Gas and Gas Propulsion Plant (COGAG), which consists of four reversible Gas Turbines and allows her to reach speeds of more than 30 knots (about 55 Kmph). The ship has complex digital networks such as Gigabyte Ethernet-based Ship Data Network (GESDN), Combat Management System (CMS), Automatic Power Management System (APMS), and Integrated Platform Management System (IPMS).
The indigenous content of P15B Class Destroyers is 72%, which is higher than in P15A (59%) and P15 (42%), reflecting the government's priority on the 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' Programme as well as massive eco system development of sub vendors.
On November 21, 2021, the first ship of P15B (Visakhapatnam) was commissioned.
On December 18, 2022, the second ship (Mormugao) was commissioned. The third ship (IMPHAL) was delivered to the Indian Navy on October 20, 2023. The fourth ship (Surat) was launched on May 17, 2022, and is now being outfitted.
MDL has long been at the vanguard of the country's forward-thinking indigenous warship and submarine manufacturing program. With the construction of the Leander and Godavari class Frigates, Khukri class Corvettes, Missile Boats, Delhi and Kolkata class Destroyers, Shivalik class Stealth Frigates, Visakhapatanam class Destroyers, Nilgiri class Frigates, the SSK submarines, and five Scorpene submarines under its belt, the modern-day MDL's history almost maps the history of indigenous warship and submarine building in India, deservedly earning the soubriquet ‘Warship and Submarine Builders to the Nation’.