IMPHAL

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Context

• Imphal, Indian Navy’s third indigenous stealth destroyer of the Project 15B class, planned to be commissioned later this year, undertook her maiden sea sortie.

Details

• The ship incorporates several niche technologies and high indigenous content and is designed in-house by the Navy’s Warship Design Bureau and constructed by Mazagon Dock Ltd.
• Imphal will have the unique distinction of being the largest and most advanced destroyer to be ever named after a city from the North-East.
• Her predecessor INS Mormugao was commissioned in December 2022.

About Project 15B (Visakhapatnam-class destroyers)

• The contract for four ships of Project 15B was signed on 28 January 2011.
• This Project is a follow-on of the Kolkata class (Project 15A) destroyers commissioned in the last decade and the lead ship of the Project – INS Visakhapatnamwas commissioned into the Indian Navy on 21 November 2021.
• Designed by the Warship Design Bureau, the Indian Navy’s in-house organization; and built by M/s Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd, Mumbai; the four ships of the Project are christened after major cities from all four corners of the country, viz. Visakhapatnam, Mormugao, Imphal and Surat.

Features

• The Project 15B ships are 163 meters long and 17 meters wide, displace 7400 tonnes when fully loaded, and have a maximum speed of 30 knots.
• The overall indigenous content of the project is approx. 75%.
• According to the Indian Navy, the P15B destroyers incorporate new design concepts for improved survivability, seakeeping, stealth, and maneuverability.
• P15B ships will be equipped to carry and operate two multi-role helicopters.

https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1920605