National Desk, 26th December: On December 26, 2023, the Indian Navy will commission the INS Imphal, an indigenously built stealth-guided missile destroyer, strengthening maritime capabilities amid regional challenges. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will grace the commissioning ceremony at the Naval Dockyard in Mumbai.
INS Imphal, the third vessel in the ‘Visakhapatnam’ class destroyers, is designed and constructed by the Indian Navy’s Warship Design Bureau and built by Mazgaon Dock Limited. With a high indigenous content of around 75%, the warship is equipped with advanced weaponry, including BrahMos surface-to-surface missiles, medium-range surface-to-air missiles, anti-submarine indigenous rocket launchers, and a 76mm super rapid gun mount.
Named after the capital city of Manipur, INS Imphal highlights the strategic importance of the Northeastern region to India’s national security. It follows the lineage of indigenous destroyers like Project 15A (Kolkata class) and Project 15 (Delhi class). Measuring 163 meters in length and displacing 7,400 tons, INS Imphal is a formidable naval asset with state-of-the-art features, stealth technology, and automation enhancing its combat capability.
Delivered to the Indian Navy on October 20, INS Imphal successfully test-fired the extended-range supersonic BrahMos missile last month, a remarkable achievement for any indigenous warship before commissioning. The vessel, powered by Combined Gas and Gas (COGAG) propulsion, can achieve speeds above 30 knots (56 km/hour).
The Visakhapatnam class, exemplified by INS Imphal, showcases India’s advanced naval engineering, featuring stealth technology and a high indigenous component for a strategic edge. These ships play a crucial role in network-centric warfare and can operate independently or as part of a larger formation.
The commissioning of INS Imphal not only adds a cutting-edge destroyer to the Indian Navy’s fleet but also honors the city of Imphal and the Northeastern region’s historical contributions to India’s freedom struggle and national security.
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