MDL delivers first ship of Project 15B Class Destroyer to Indian Navy

New Delhi/Mumbai: Warship builder Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) has delivered the first ship of 'Project 15B Class Destroyer,' ie Yard 12704 (Visakhapatnam), to the Indian Navy recently. The acceptance document was signed by MDL's Chairman & Managing Director (CMD) VAdm Narayan Prasad and CSO (Tech) RAdm KP Arvindan (VSM) at MDL in the presence of Commanding Officer (Designate), MDL Directors and Navy personnel.

According to MDL, this ship can accommodate a crew of 312 persons, has an endurance of 4,000 nautical miles and can carry out a typical 42-day mission with extended mission time in out-of-area operation. The ship is equipped with two helicopters on board to further extend its reach. The ship is propelled by a powerful Combined Gas and Gas Propulsion Plant (COGAG), consisting of four reversible gas turbines, which enables it to achieve a speed of over 30 knots (approximately 55 Kmph). The ship boasts of a very high level of automation with sophisticated digital networks such as Gigabyte Ethernet-based Ship Data Network (GESDN), Combat Management System (CMS), Automatic Power Management System (APMS) and Integrated Platform Management System (IPMS).

The ship is constructed using indigenous steel DMR 249A and is amongst the largest destroyers constructed in India, with an overall length of 164 metres and a displacement of over 7,500 tons. 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' Long 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, Heavyweight Torpedo Tube Launchers, and Rocket Launchers.

Significantly, more versatile than the previous destroyer and frigates in Naval inventory, Visakhapatnam's all-round capability against enemy submarines, surface warships, anti-ship missiles, and fighter aircraft will enable it to operate without a bevvy of supporting vessels, and also to function as the flagship of a Naval task force.

The indigenous content in P15B Class destroyers is 72 percent, which is a notch above their predecessors P15A (59 percent) and P15 (42 percent) Class Destroyers, marking a big boost to the government's Make in India programme.

The second ship of P15B Mormugao was launched on September 16 and is being readied for Harbour Trials. The ship will thereafter commence its sea trials. The third ship (Imphal) was launched on April 20, 2019 and is at an advanced stage of outfitting. The fourth ship is under block erection and will be launched within this current financial year.

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