Project-15B Class Destroyer Ship: Visakhapatnam

WHY IN THE 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.

 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).