INS Surat and frigate INS Udaygiri

• 18 May 2022

Why in News?

Recently, the Defence Minister launched the Indian Navy destroyer warship INS Surat and frigate INS Udaygiri in Mumbai.

What is INS Surat?

• About:
  • ‘Surat’ is the fourth ship of Project 15B Destroyers which heralds a significant makeover of the P15A (Kolkata Class) Destroyers.
  • The first ship (Visakhapatnam) of this class was commissioned in 2021. The second (Mormugao) and third (Imphal) ships have been launched and are at different stages of outfitting/ trials.
• Named After:
  • It is named after the commercial capital of the state of Gujarat and also the second largest commercial hub of western India after Mumbai.
    • Surat city has a rich maritime & ship building history and vessels built at the city in the 16^th and 18^th centuries were known for their longevity (of more than 100 years).
    • The ship Surat has been built using the Block construction methodology.
      • This methodology includes hull construction at two different geographical locations and has been joined together at MDL, Mumbai.

What is Project 15B?

• Project-15B:
  • 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.
  • In 2011, the deal to build four warships -- Visakhapatnam, Mormugao, Imphal, and Surat -- was signed under the Project-15B programme worth Rs 29,643.74 crore.
    • However, the final cost escalated to Rs 35,000 crore.
  • All four ships have been christened after cities from four corners of the country and the induction of ships will be completed by 2024.
• 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.

What is INS Udaygiri?

• About:
  • It is the third ship of Project 17A frigates.
• Named After:
  • The ship 'Udaygiri' is named after a mountain range in the state of Andhra Pradesh.
    • ‘Udaygiri’ is the reincarnation of erstwhile ‘Udaygiri’, the Leander Class ASW Frigate, which saw numerous challenging operations in its illustrious service to the country spanning over three decades from 1976 to 2007.
• Progress under P17A:
  • Under the P17A program, a total of seven ships, with 04 at Mazagon Dock Limited (MDL), Mumbai and 03 at GRSE are under construction.
  • Various novel concepts and technologies like Integrated Construction, Mega Block Outsourcing, Project Data Management/ Project Lifecycle Management (PDM/PLM) etc have been adopted for the first time in indigenous Warship Design and Construction in this project.

What is Project 17A Frigates?

• About:
  • Project 17A frigates are follow-on of the P17 Frigates (Shivalik Class) with improved stealth features, advanced weapons and sensors and platform management systems.
  • A total of seven ships are being constructed, four at Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders (MDL), Mumbai and three at Garden Reach Ship Builders Limited (GRSE), Kolkata.
• Features:
  • The main advanced stealth features of P-17A pertain to the smaller Radar cross-section of the ship achieved through the use of a special super structure shape which reduces radar wave reflections.
  • Another important feature is regarding the ship’s low acoustic noise emanating from propellers, operating machinery like Diesel Generators etc., which helps sonars on other ships to detect its presence.
    • Such stealth features play an important role in improving the ship's survivability in any hostile environment during operations.

Source: PIB