Indian Navy Inducts First Project 15B Stealthy Guided-Missile Destroyer

The Indian Navy commissioned the first Project 15B stealth guided-missile destroyer, INS Vishakhapatnam, on Sunday.

“The first of the Project 15B class of ship, Visakhapatnam is being commissioned today. Know more about the ceremony and the ship,” the Navy announced.

In 2011, the government sanctioned four 15B ships at the cost of INR 29,700 Crore ($4.4 billion).

Visakhapatnam has been constructed using indigenous steel DMR 249A and is amongst the largest destroyers constructed in India with an overall length of 163m and displacement of over 7400 tons. The ship has a significant indigenous content of approximately 75% contributing towards AtmaNirbhar Bharat. The ship is a potent platform capable of undertaking multifarious task and missions spanning the full spectrum of maritime warfare, the Indian defense ministry said in a statement.

The destroyer is equipped with array of weapons & sensors, which include supersonic surface-to-surface and surface-to-air missiles, medium and short-range guns, anti-submarine rockets and advanced electronic warfare and communication suit’s. The ship is propelled by a powerful combined gas and gas propulsion which enables her speed of over 30 knots. The ship has the capability of embarking two integrated helicopters to further extend her reach. The ship boasts of a very high level of automation with sophisticated digital networks, Combat Management System and Integrated Platform Management System.

Commissioning of Vela, the fourth submarine of Project-75 is also scheduled on 25 November. Six Submarines are being constructed under theProject-75. With the commissioning of Vela, the project would have crossed the half way mark. This would be followed by the launch of first ship of Survey Vessel Large project, Sandhayak, early next month.