On December 26, 2023, at a magnificent ceremony conducted at the Naval Dockyard, Mumbai, INS Imphal, a Project 15B stealth guided missile destroyer, was commissioned into the Indian Navy in the presence of Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh.
Designed by the Warship Design Bureau of the Indian Navy and built by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL), Mumbai, the third of four indigenous "Visakhapatnam" class destroyers is formally commissioned at this ceremony.
Speaking at the event, the Raksha Mantri praised INS Imphal as a testament to the dedication of the Indian Navy, MDL, and all other stakeholders to national security and as a brilliant example of "Aatmanirbharta" in defence.
He stated “INS Imphal is a symbol of India’s growing maritime power and it will strengthen it further. It will bolster our principle of ‘Jalmev Yasya, Balmev Tasya’ (One Who Controls the Sea is All Powerful) in the Indo-Pacific region,”
With a displacement of 7,400 tonnes and dimensions of 163 by 17 metres, the ship is one of the most powerful warships ever constructed in India. With four strong gas turbines driving it in a combined gas configuration, it can reach speeds of more than 30 knots.
INS IMPHAL was termed by the Raksha Mantri as a combination of the many national strengths. “Brahmos Aerospace installed Brahmos missile on the ship. Torpedo tube launchers are of Larsen & Toubro (L&T). Rapid Gun Mount has been installed by Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL), and Medium Range missiles by Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL). In addition, many start-ups and MSMEs are involved in its construction. Just like many elements have given a concrete form to INS IMPHAL, people from all walks of life should work together for us to become ‘Viksit Bharat’. Every citizen is a carrier of India’s security and progress. Whenever one works, the betterment of the nation must be kept in mind,” he said.
In contrast to past administrations that primarily paid attention to defending the nation from dangers originating from the land, Shri Rajnath Singh reaffirmed the government's commitment to placing equal emphasis on the modernization of all three Services in order to secure national interests.
He pointed out that, with the Himalayas in the north and Pakistan's hostile behaviour in the west, most of India's goods trade takes place by sea, making it an island country in terms of trade. Since India's national interests are at stake in global trade, he emphasised the need of constantly improving the Navy's capabilities.
The Raksha Mantri also mentioned the recent alleged drone attacks on the Red Sea's "MV Sai Baba" and the Arabian Sea's Merchant Vessel (MV) Chem Pluto. He said that India's expanding economic and strategic power has instilled jealously and animosity in some elements.
The Indian government has taken the attacks extremely seriously, he added, and the Navy has increased its surveillance. He promised that the attackers would face consequences for their actions and that they would soon be brought to justice.
“India plays the role of a Net Security Provider in the entire Indian Ocean Region. We will ensure that maritime trade in this region touches greater heights. For this, together with our friendly countries, we will keep the sea lanes secure. We have full confidence in the ability and strength of our Navy,” said Shri Rajnath Singh.
Admiral R Hari Kumar, the Chief of Naval Staff, said in his speech that INS Imphal is a brilliant example of the Indian Navy's unwavering dedication to achieving the goal of self-reliance in defence. Additionally, he described it as evidence of the government's "Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat" vision.
He went on to say that the ship will not only combat physical dangers from the oceans, but will also represent the might of a united nation.
“INS Imphal will deter the various designs that try to harm national unity. It will breath fire upon the enemy and demonstrate unflinching resolve in the face of adversity,” he said.
The Chief of Naval Staff expressed confidence in the 2024 commissioning of the fourth Project 15B stealth guided missile destroyer, dubbed "Surat." Before INS Imphal, the Navy also commissioned two destroyers of the same class, INS Visakhapatnam and INS Mormugao, in 2021 and 2022, respectively.
Admiral R Hari Kumar said that the Indian Navy has deployed four destroyers of the Project 15B and 15A class to combat piracy and drone attacks on commerce vessels. He continued by saying that in order to address these threats, the Coast Guard ships, Dorniers, P8I aircraft, helicopters, and sea guards have all been sent in together.
According to the Chief of Naval Staff, the Navy hopes to induct at least one Agniveer from every village, every block, and every district in the nation.
“The strategy is to attract youth – both men and women – from every corner of the country, up-skill them when in Service, certify their abilities through education institutions, inculcate a spirit of nationalism and ensure that they re-join the civil sector as invaluable assets. The vision is to percolate such a nationalistic workforce across the length and breadth of the country,” he said.
INS Imphal holds the distinction of being the first warship to be named after a city in the North-east, emphasising the region's and Manipur's importance to the nation and the Indian Navy. The ship was launched on April 20, 2019, after the keel was laid on May 19, 2017. The ship set sail for its first sea voyage on April 28, 2023.
After extensive testing both ashore and at sea, it was delivered on October 20, 2023—a record period of less than six months. Of all the indigenous destroyers, INS Imphal took the least amount of time to build and test. Before being commissioned, the ship accomplished the first-ever test-firing of an extended-range Brahmos missile, proving itself "weapon-ready."
With roughly 315 people on board, the ship is led by Captain KK Choudhury, an expert in gunnery and missiles. It will increase the Navy's adaptability, reach, and mobility in defending the interests and maritime security of the country.
Because to its improved stealth features—which include its full beam superstructure design, plated masts, effective hull shape, and use of radar-transparent material on exposed decks—INS Imphal has a lower radar cross section.
It is equipped with advanced, cutting-edge weaponry and sensors, including as electronic warfare systems, radars, sonar, and surface-to-air and surface-to-surface missiles as well as anti-submarine warfare (ASW) helicopters, torpedo and rocket launchers.
The ship is outfitted to combat in scenarios including chemical, biological, and nuclear weapons.
A unique feature of this ship is the high level of indigenisation of about 75%, highlighting Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi-led Government’s efforts towards ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’.
The indigenous equipment/systems include Combat Management System, Rocket Launcher, Torpedo Launcher, Integrated Platform Management System, Automated Power Management System, Foldable Hangar Doors, Helo Traversing system, Close-in Weapon System, and the Bow-mounted SONAR.
