India commissions first new Project P15B Vishakhapatnam-class guided missile destroyer

 

The INS Vishakhapatnam (D66). Photo c/o Indian Navy.

The Indian Navy has commissioned its first Vishakhapatnam-class guided missile destroyer, considered to be the most advanced surface combatant of the country.

Commissioning ceremonies was held on 21 November 2021 at the Naval Dockyard in Mumbai, and was attended by Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.

The ship, which was named INS Vishakhapatnam (D66), is the lead ship of the class with the same name, and was built under the Indian Navy's P15B destroyer program, which aims to deliver the latest generation of stealth guided missile destroyers to replace older models like the Rajput-class.

The ship was indigenously designed by the Indian Navy’s in-house organisation Directorate of Naval Design, and constructed by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited in the company's shipyard in Mumbai.

In his address, the Defence Minister said that the ship is a symbol of the growing maritime prowess of the country and a major milestone in achieving Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision of ‘Make in India, Make for the World’.

He added that the ship is a reminder of ancient and medieval India’s maritime power, shipbuilding skills and glorious history, and defined that the ship is one of the most technologically advanced guided missile destroyers in the world which will cater to the present & future requirements of the Indian Armed Forces and India as a whole.

The ship was designed and built with a high level of indigenisation, with major indigenous systems including its Combat Management System, Rocket Launcher, Torpedo Tube Launcher, Integrated Platform Management System, Automated Power Management System, Foldable Hangar Doors, Helo Traversing system, Close-in Weapon System and the Bow mounted SONAR.

The INS Visakhapatnam is 163 meters long, 17 meters in breadth, has a displacement of 7,400 tonnes and can rightfully be regarded as one of the most potent warships to have been constructed in India.

The ship is propelled by four gas turbines in a Combined Gas and Gas (COGAG) configuration, and is  capable of reaching speeds in excess of 30 knots.

The ship features an enhanced stealth design resulting in a reduced Radar Cross Section (RCS),  achieved through efficient shaping of hull, full beam superstructure design, plated masts and use of radar transparent materials on exposed decks.




[1] Naval News
[2] India Today
[3] Hindustan Times