Project-15B Class Destroyer Ship: Visakhapatnam | 03 Nov 2021

Why in News

Recently, the first ship of the four Project-15B state-of-the-art stealth guided missile destroyers i.e. ‘Y 12704 (Visakhapatnam)’, was delivered to the Navy.

• The ship is constructed using indigenous steel DMR 249A and is amongst the largest destroyers constructed in India.

Key Points

• India’s Destroyer Construction Programme:
  
  • India’s indigenous Destroyer construction programme commenced in the late 1990s with the three Delhi class (P-15 class) warships and this was followed by three Kolkata class (P-15A) destroyers commissioned a decade later.
  • Presently, under the P-15B (Visakhapatnam Class), a total of four warships are planned (Visakhapatnam, Mormugao, Imphal, Surat).
  • The Destroyers come next only to an Aircraft Carrier (INS Vikramaditya) in terms of their reach and endurance.
• Project-15B:
  
  • Four Guided missile Destroyers of Project 15B (P 15B) are under construction at M/s Mazagaon Dock Shipbuilders Limited, Mumbai. The contract for construction of these four ships was signed in 2011.
  • These ships are amongst the most technologically advanced Guided Missile Destroyers of the world, with state-of-the-art weapon/sensor package, advanced stealth features and a high degree of automation.
• Features of the P-15B Ships:
  
  • These ships are equipped with BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles and long-range Surface-to-Air Missiles (SAM).
  • The ship has several indigenous weapons systems like medium range Surface-to-Air Missile (SAMs), indigenous torpedo tube launchers, anti-submarine indigenous rocket launchers and 76-mm super rapid gun mount.
• Other Three Ships of Project 15B:
  
  • The second ship of P15B, Mormugao was launched in 2016, and is being readied for harbour trials.
  • The third ship (Imphal) was launched in 2019, and is at an advanced stage of outfitting.
  • The fourth ship (Surat) is under block erection and will be launched within this current financial year (2022) .
• Role of P-15B:
  
  • The Indian Navy’s responsibilities to safeguard a large coastline of 7516 Kms and about 1100 offshore islands along with 2.01 million sq km Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) have been enhanced in the present geopolitical scenario.
  • Destroyers like the P-15B class shall play an important role in the larger oceans of the Indo-Pacific, making the Indian Navy a potent force.
  • The guided missile Destroyers are deployed for various responsibilities like escort duties with the Carrier Battle Group to protect the Naval fleet against any air, surface and underwater threats.
• Other Recent Projects:
  
  • Project 75 (I): It envisages indigenous construction of submarines equipped with the state-of-the-art Air Independent Propulsion system at an estimated cost of Rs. 43,000 crore.
  • Project 75: It is a programme by the Indian Navy that entails building six Scorpene-Class attack submarines. The programme has been undertaken with transfer of technology from French company Naval Group (formerly known as DCNS) at the Mazagon Dock Limited (MDL).

Source: TH