Mumbai: The latest warship, indigenously designed by the Indian Navy’s in-house Warship Design Bureau and built by Mumbai’s Mazagon Dock Limited, Imphal, will be formally commissioned into the Indian Navy by Union Defense Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday.
Third of four ‘Visakhapatnam’ class stealth guided missile destroyers
The third of the four ‘Visakhapatnam’ class stealth guided missile destroyers is the first frontline warship named after a city in the North Eastern region. The stealth destroyer was handed over to the Indian Navy on October 20, 2023 after completing rigorous and extensive trials in port and at sea.
While we keep downsizing our navy, India appears to be doing the heavy lifting for all. This is footage of an #IndianNavy destroyer called #INSImphal. While they confront China, we won't have a navy left due to budget cuts to support our allies & partners overseas! @alessionaval pic.twitter.com/eHoMrLzptF
— Ethan Hughes (@EthanHughe10260) December 25, 2023
“Imphal is the first indigenous warship to successfully test-fire the extended-range supersonic BrahMos missile last month before the ship was commissioned to join the Indian Navy. The ship emphasizes the Indian Navy’s combat effectiveness and confidence in its state-of-the-art indigenous weapons and platforms, an Indian Navy spokesperson said.
The @indiannavy is set to commission its latest Stealth Guided Missile Destroyer, #Imphal, at Naval Dockyard, Mumbai, on 26 Dec 2023 in the presence of RM Shri @rajnathsingh.#DestroyerImphal#NavalInduction
— A. Bharat Bhushan Babu (@SpokespersonMoD) December 24, 2023
Read about #INSImphal here: https://t.co/JOrIdRLebl@giridhararamane pic.twitter.com/gAlrovemmC
Imphal is 163 meters long, weighs 7,400 tonnes and with 75% indigenous content is considered one of the most powerful warships built in India.
Imphal – Features
Imphal is a formidable mobile fortress at sea capable of achieving speeds of over 30 knots and is loaded with sophisticated ‘state-of-the-art’ weapons and sensors such as surface-to-surface missiles and surface-to-air missiles. The warship is fitted with a modern surveillance radar that provides target data to the ship’s artillery weapon systems. The ship’s anti-submarine warfare capabilities are provided by indigenously developed rocket launchers, torpedo launchers and ASW helicopters.
“The ship is equipped to fight under nuclear, biological and chemical (NBC) warfare conditions and has a high degree of automation and stealth features that further enhance her combat capability and survivability,” a Navy spokesperson said.
Some of the major indigenous equipment/systems present at Imphal include indigenous medium range surface-to-air missiles, surface-to-surface missiles, torpedo tubes, anti-submarine rocket launchers, super rapid gun mounts besides combat management systems, Includes integrated platform management system. Automatic power management system, foldable hangar doors, halo traversing system, close-in weapon system and bow mounted sonar.
Imphal has already made a record
Imphal has already set a record in terms of time taken to build a stealth destroyer and her sea trials are the shortest for any indigenous destroyer.
While the keel was laid in May 2017, the ship launched into the water in April 2019 and set sail for her first sea trials in April 2023 to complete an extensive schedule of trials both in port and at sea, leading up to her delivery. 20 October 2023 Within a record time frame of six months – the fastest for a ship of its size.
Imphal has the unique distinction of being the largest and most advanced destroyer ever named after a city in the North-East and is a tribute to the sacrifice and contribution of Manipur in India’s freedom struggle.
