Wrapped In Secrecy Till Now, India’s Indigenous Nuclear Missile Tracking Ship Is Ready For Use

Having reportedly cost Rs 750 crore so far, India’s first missile tracking ship VC11184 is ready for use and is set to begin operations in October, Business Insider has reported. This puts India in a league of few elite countries like US, Russia, China, and France which have missile tracking ships. The ship has been built by the Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL) near Visakhapatnam. An Indian nuclear-powered submarine is also being built at the same shipyard.

The vessel is powered by two diesel engines and has a capacity to carry 300 persons. It is also equipped with a deck for helicopter landing. The objective of the ship is to carry out electronic surveillance and track missiles.

VC 11184 is part of a strategic weapons programme of the Indian Navy. The ship will work for the National Technical Research Organisation (NTRO), an organisation that directly works for the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) and the National Security Advisor (NSA). Considering the importance of the project, strict secrecy has been maintained about the details of the vessel.

The ship will be renamed upon induction into the Indian Navy.