Indian Navy Eyes Next-Gen Project 18 Destroyers with Anti-Ballistic Missile Systems and Drone Launch Capabilities

The Indian Navy is poised to take a significant step towards modernizing its fleet by seeking approval from the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) to construct 8 to 10 advanced Project 18 class destroyers.

These cutting-edge warships are envisioned to be equipped with state-of-the-art technology, including anti-ballistic missile systems and the capability to launch drones, further bolstering India's maritime defence capabilities.

Emerging concept details provide a tantalizing glimpse into the formidable capabilities of these Project 18 class warships. A promotional video released last year showcased a graphical representation of a potential design, highlighting a striking canister-based universal Vertical Launch System (VLS) configuration.

This innovative design incorporates an impressive 144 missile cells, arranged strategically in a three 6×4 VLS 2 layout, positioned both at the bow and aft of the vessel.

Beyond the VLS, these warships are also set to feature eight slant launchers situated behind the main radar, potentially earmarked for the deployment of the potent BrahMos-2 anti-ship missile.

Additionally, the integration of the PGLRSAM interceptor missile, with its impressive 250 km range, will significantly enhance the warships' defensive capabilities.

As the successors to the P-15 Bravo class, or the P-15B program, the Project 18 class destroyers are anticipated to be a game-changer for the Indian Navy. Their addition to the fleet is expected to provide a substantial boost to the country's maritime security and strategic advantage in the region.

 

[sanket]

Nos sound good IN going with good plan / Vision ahead

 

[Anant]

Nos sound good IN going with good plan / Vision ahead

The Navy plans to have the necessary fleet. The Army plans to have a powerful force, but are fairly slow. The Air Force plans to plan, unfortunately.

 

[Instant Karma]

It means two days agos 1.45 lakhs crs does not include navy ships. That means another 1 lakhs crs Naval approval by DAC is yet to come.

 

[Raj]

Haha one force upgrading their whatever possible ways, one force just testing potest weapons in grounds including moon, pluto.
One just sitting idle, watching these two guys. Future planning is important. Hal shown mk1a 2018 i guess, they took 3yrs to give orders.

 

[NSR]

That would be really wondedrful.

I think Indian Navy should be churning out 1 Destroyer, 1 Frigate, and several smaller warships like OPVs and ASW Corvettes, 1 SSK submarine every year without fail.

And 1 SSBN and 1 SSN submarines every other year or so as the technology permits.

Advanced Destroyers must include full sprectrum of 144 silos for its offense and defense postures.

Way to go Indian Navy and its Warship Design Bureau!!!

 

[Ranjeet Singh]

Directorate of Naval design should make these 8-10 warships having 15000+ ton displacement armed with DEW, Railgun mount ,Laser dome and capble to fire K-4, K-5 and K-6 ballistic missiles !

 

[Ysmir Rewari]

IAF should learn from navy

 

[Superpower Bharat]

Is there any possibility that some of these ships will be nuclear powered...

 

[abhinav srivastava]

Each destroyer should have few autonomous subs for mine detection and submarine detection.

 

[Sunny]

While 144 VLS sounds exciting, can we really afford to spend so much fully equipping 1 destroyer. The costs would be mind-boggling for 8-10 ships of this capability. I would rather prefer navy went for a warship like the improved Admiral Gorshkov class with 32 UVLS for antiship/land-attack missiles and 32 VLS for Long range SAM for a total of 64 VLS, besides torpedoes and guns, weighing in the range of 6000 to 8000 tonnes. We can build more of these at much lessor cost.

 

[Manoj Kumar G]

Still cant spare 1Billion dollars for Safran 110KN engine.Worst defence minister

 

[GMR]

Each destroyer should have few autonomous subs for mine detection and submarine detection.

Also long range below / above surface kamikaze drones will give it unmatched muscle power

 

[beencensured]

Still cant spare 1Billion dollars for Safran 110KN engine.Worst defence minister

Does Safran have 110kn engine, or to be developed. Besides these type of deals are government to government and when finalized?

 

[neil]

Directorate of Naval design should make these 8-10 warships having 15000+ ton displacement armed with DEW, Railgun mount ,Laser dome and capble to fire K-4, K-5 and K-6 ballistic missiles !

Destroyers cannot be armed with nukes. Those are strategic weapon systems. If a destroyer is armed with nukes, you can't risk sending it in harm's way for naval engagements with enemy ships..

 

[neil]

While 144 VLS sounds exciting, can we really afford to spend so much fully equipping 1 destroyer. The costs would be mind-boggling for 8-10 ships of this capability. I would rather prefer navy went for a warship like the improved Admiral Gorshkov class with 32 UVLS for antiship/land-attack missiles and 32 VLS for Long range SAM for a total of 64 VLS, besides torpedoes and guns, weighing in the range of 6000 to 8000 tonnes. We can build more of these at much lessor cost.

32 or even 64 VLS is far too little for what is supposed to be a frontline destroyer. Especially if you compare with the kind of VLS loadouts being churned out worldwide, including by our rivals.

 

[Akshat]

The Navy plans to have the necessary fleet. The Army plans to have a powerful force, but are fairly slow. The Air Force plans to plan, unfortunately.

Bro the issue is that IAF’s deals are all fairly big in size, and HAL keeps lying and misleading everyone. If you remember, IAF had asked for Mirages in the 90s. MoD refused. They were forced to issue RFP for MMRCA. After multiple RFPs due to revised DPP by MoD, they finally did choose Rafale. But again HAL failed them. Then MRFA, where they didn’t get the permission to go ahead at least till 2022.

Coming to desi products, they were told Tejas will come in mid 90s. We all know that story. Then they were told mk2 will start production in 2016, but so far HAL refuses to even do muh dikhai. I am personally convinced, without any official backing though, that MoD delayed MRFA because HAL was fooling them, and still is, with fake deadlines.

 

[Akshat]

Haha one force upgrading their whatever possible ways, one force just testing potest weapons in grounds including moon, pluto.
One just sitting idle, watching these two guys. Future planning is important. Hal shown mk1a 2018 i guess, they took 3yrs to give orders.

HAL showed mk1a in 2024. And delivery of mk1 trainers, for which orders came in 2018, is still not complete.

 

[Akshat]

IAF should learn from navy

But who will teach HAL?

 

[Anant]

Bro the issue is that IAF’s deals are all fairly big in size, and HAL keeps lying and misleading everyone. If you remember, IAF had asked for Mirages in the 90s. MoD refused. They were forced to issue RFP for MMRCA. After multiple RFPs due to revised DPP by MoD, they finally did choose Rafale. But again HAL failed them. Then MRFA, where they didn’t get the permission to go ahead at least till 2022.

Coming to desi products, they were told Tejas will come in mid 90s. We all know that story. Then they were told mk2 will start production in 2016, but so far HAL refuses to even do muh dikhai. I am personally convinced, without any official backing though, that MoD delayed MRFA because HAL was fooling them, and still is, with fake deadlines.

I agree, Sir. 90% of the IAF's misfortunes can be attributed to HSL, GTRE, ADA, the MoD, etc. Despite that, though, ideally speaking, larger deals should have been pushed along slowly. That hasn't happened, and the present government is now foolishly optimistic on HAL's ability to deliver Tejas jets as an excuse to delay MRFA, leading to an increasing crisis.