- Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) delivered the third Stealth Destroyer of
Project 15B Class Guided Missile Destroyer, i.e., Yard 12706 (IMPHAL), to the Indian
Navy. - Yard 12706 (IMPHAL) ship is constructed using Indigenous Steel DMR 249A and is among
the largest Destroyers constructed in India, with an overall length of 164 metres and a
displacement of over 7500 tonnes. - The ship is propelled by a powerful Combined Gas and Gas Propulsion Plant (COGAG),
consisting of four reversible Gas Turbines, which enables her to achieve a speed of over
30 knots (approx 55 Kmph). - The ship Is a potent platform capable of undertaking a variety of tasks and missions,
spanning the full spectrum of maritime warfare. - It is armed with supersonic Surface-to-Surface ‘Brahmos’ missiles and ‘Barak-8’ Medium
Range Surface to Air Missiles. - Towards undersea warfare capability the Destroyer is fitted with indigenously developed
anti-submarine weapons and sensors, prominently the Hull mounted Sonar Humsa NG,
Heavy weight Torpedo Tube Launchers and ASW Rocket Launchers. - It Is more versatile than the previous classes of Destroyer and Frigates in Naval
inventory. - It has all-round capability against enemy submarines, surface warships, anti-ship missiles
and fighter aircraft will enable it to operate independently without supporting vessels,
and also to function as the flagship of a Naval task force.
Project 15B - Project 15B (P15B) / Visakhapatnam-class is the latest destroyer design currently under
construction for the Indian Navy. - These ships have been designed indigenously by the Indian Navy’s Directorate of Naval
Design, New Delhi.
