The Indian Navy has launched its latest Kolkata-class destroyer, INS Visakhapatnam, at the Mazagon Dock in Mumbai, India.
The new naval vessel is the first ship to be completed as part of an INR293.4bn ($4.69bn) 15B project, which will see the construction of four stealth destroyers.
Naval Design director general rear admiral AK Saxena was quoted by Zee News as saying: "Kolkata Class did not have a full-fledged total atmosphere control system (TAC).
"The TAC system provides you with the capability of operating in a fall-out region, be it a nuclear, chemical or biological almost endlessly…because the complete air being taken inside is through nuclear, biological and chemical filters except in the machinery compartment."
The 163m-long warship, which will have a displacement of 7,300t, will be equipped with the Israeli multi function surveillance threat alert radar (MF-STAR).
According to DNA, the vessel will be installed with eight BrahMos anti-ship missiles and 32 Barak-8 long-range surface to air missiles (LR-SAM).
In addition, it will feature the AK-630 Close-In Weapon System, which will be fitted on the bow or front side of the vessel.
INS Visakhapatnam will also feature twin tube torpedo launchers and rocket launchers, which have been designed to strengthen the ship’s anti-submarine capability..
The INS Visakhapatnam is expected to be inducted into the Indian Navy in July 2018.
