INS Imphal Set For Commissioning Today: All You Need To Know About Indian Navy's New Destroyer

In a significant strategic move aimed at bolstering its maritime capabilities, the Indian Navy is poised to commission its latest indigenously built stealth-guided missile destroyer, INS Imphal, at Mumbai's Naval Dockyard.

The ceremony, scheduled for Tuesday (26 December), will be graced by the presence of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, reported Hindustan Times.

INS Imphal, the third vessel of the 'Visakhapatnam' class destroyers, stands as a testament to India's prowess in indigenous shipbuilding capabilities, meticulously designed and constructed by the Navy's esteemed Warship Design Bureau.

Notably, INS Imphal holds the distinction of being the first warship named after a city from the Northeastern region, with approval granted by the President in April 2019.

Crafted by Mazgaon Dock Limited, INS Imphal boasts an impressive indigenous content of approximately 75 per cent, featuring cutting-edge weaponry such as BrahMos surface-to-surface missiles, medium-range surface-to-air missiles, anti-submarine indigenous rocket launchers, and a formidable 76 mm super rapid gun mount.

Part of Project 15B (Visakhapatnam class), INS Imphal follows in the footsteps of indigenous destroyers like Project 15A (Kolkata class) and Project 15 (Delhi class).

With a substantial length of 163 metres and a displacement of 7,400 tons, the vessel stands as a formidable naval presence in the region.

The destroyer is a versatile platform, equipped with state-of-the-art weapons and sensors, including surface-to-air missiles, anti-ship missiles, and torpedoes.

Notably, it features a modern surveillance radar providing crucial target data to the ship's gunnery weapon systems.

INS Imphal is also adept at functioning under Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical warfare conditions, showcasing a high degree of automation and stealth features that enhance its combat capability and survivability.

Powered by Combined Gas and Gas propulsion, the ship can achieve speeds above 30 knots (56 km/hour).

The Indian Navy lauds INS Imphal as one of the most potent warships ever constructed in India, a testament to the nation's growing shipbuilding prowess in line with the vision of 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' (self-reliant India).

Post-commissioning, INS Imphal is slated to join the Western Naval Command, further enhancing India's maritime capabilities in the strategically vital Indian Ocean region.