THE MIGHTY MARVEL: INDIAN NAVY’S MOST POWERFUL DESTROYER

The India Navy’s new stealth destroyer INS Vishakhapatnam is the lead ship of Project 15 B. The ship has been conceived as a follow up of the Kolkata class and is amongst the most technologically advanced guided missile destroyers of the world with state of the art weapon/sensor package. Designed by the Indian Navy’s Directorate of Naval Design, the ship has been constructed by Mazagaon Dock Ltd., Mumbai.

The ship is one of the few warships in the world to have a Multi-Function Surveillance Threat Alert Radar to provide target data to Long Range Surface-to-Air Missile system. She is also equipped with 76mm and 30mm gun mounts for defence against incoming air-borne and surface threats at medium and close range.

Weighing 7,300 tonnes, INS Vishakhapatnam has room to accommodate 50 officers and 250 sailors. Enhanced stealth features have been achieved through shaping of hull and use of radar transparent deck fittings.

In consonance with the national vision of ‘Make in India’, INS Vishakhapatnam has significantly higher level of indigenization as compared to its predecessor. Some of the major equipments/systems developed indigenously and fitted onboard include :

• Indigenous rocket launcher for anti-submarine warfare
• Indigenous Torpedo Tube Launcher for  anti-submarine warfare
• Combat Management System
• Foldable Hangar Door
• Close in weapon system
• Boat Davits
• Integrated Power Management System
• Bow Mounted Sonar
• Early warning System

The ship can truly be classified as a Network of Networks as it is equipped with Ship Data Network (SDN), Automatic Power Management System (APMS) and Combat Management System (CMS).

The production of the first ship of the P15B class commenced on 23 January, 2013 and the keel was laid on 12 October, 2013. Production of the second ship has also commenced on 29 July, 2014.