INS Imphal, named after the Northeastern State and Bharat’s
first warship and the third Stealth Destroyer of Project 15B Class, was
delivered to the Indian Navy by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) at the
MDL complex in South Mumbai.
The Acceptance Document was signed by MLD Chairman and
Managing Director Sanjeev Singhal and Indian Navy CSO (Tech) Real Admiral
Sanjay Sadhu in the presence of Commanding Officer (Designate) Capt KK Choudhury,
MDL Directors, Warship Overseeing Team (MB), and Navy personnel.
INS Imphal is built using Indigenous Steel DMR 249A
and is among the largest destroyers constructed in Bharat, with an overall
length of 164 metres and a displacement of over 7,500 tons.
The ship is a powerful platform that may be used for a
wide range of missions and duties covering every aspect of maritime combat. It
is equipped with supersonic Surface-to-Surface “Brahmos” missiles and “Barak-8”
Medium Range Surface to Air Missiles.
The destroyer is armed with locally built
anti-submarine weapons and sensors, most notably the heavy-weight torpedo tube
launchers, ASW rocket launchers, and hull-mounted Sonar Humsa NG, in order to bolster
its underwater warfare capabilities.
The ship may serve as the flagship of a naval task
force and operate autonomously without the need for supporting vessels.
Imphal was delivered to the Indian Navy more than four
months ahead of the contractual time as the most combat-worthy platform to
date.
The ship has completed all Sea Trials in 3 CSTs
(Contractor’s Sea Trials) including the firing of major critical weapons in the
very first CST. The ship is the first amongst all P15B ships to be fitted with
upgraded “Brahmos” missiles that have dual-role capabilities of long-range and
land attack.
In addition, Imphal is the first warship in the Navy
to be put into service with accommodations for female sailors and officers.
With a crew of 312 and a range of 4,000 nautical
miles, the ship can complete a standard 42-day mission with an extended mission
period in out-of-area operations.
The indigenous content of P15B Class Destroyers is 72
per cent, which is a notch above their predecessors, P15A (59 per cent) and P15
(42 per cent) Class Destroyers.
On November 21, 2021, the first Ship of P15B
(Visakhapatnam) was put into service. On December 18, 2022, the second ship,
Mormugao, was put into service.
Launched on May 17, 2022, the fourth ship, Surat, is
currently at an advanced outfitting stage.
NE Watch Desk
