The Indian Navy’s third Project 15B or Visakhapatnam-class guided missile destroyer, Imphal, has undertaken its inaugural sea trials.
The indigenous stealth destroyer, which is slated for commissioning later this year, features numerous advanced technologies.
It is designed by the Navy’s in-house organisation Warship Design Bureau and constructed by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL).
Named after an Indian north-eastern city, Imphal contributes to the national vision of ‘AatmaNirbhar Bharat’ and the ‘Make in India’ initiative.
The technologically advanced missile platform is expected to significantly enhance the Indian Navy’s maritime combat capabilities.
The sea trial represents a key milestone in MDL’s ongoing efforts to contribute to the establishment of a robust, ‘modern, and self-reliant India’.
The destroyers are a follow-on of the Kolkata-class (Project 15A) destroyers. The contract for four ships of Project 15B was signed in January 2011.
The Visakhapatnam-class vessels are 163m-long and 17m-wide and offer high speeds of up to 30 knots. They feature approximately 75% of indigenously built weapon systems and equipment.
Imphal’s predecessor, INS Mormugao (Y 12705), was commissioned in December 2022.
In November 2022, MDL officially handed over the second Project 15B stealth guided missile destroyer to the Indian Navy.
INS Visakhapatnam, which is the first ship of the class, has already entered into service with the Indian Navy.
The fourth guided missile destroyer of P15B class, Surat, was launched on 17 May 2022.
