Indian Navy Commissions State-of-the-Art Warship, INS Imphal, Details Inside

In a momentous ceremony held in Mumbai, the Indian Navy officially commissioned INS Imphal, an indigenously developed warship, today. The event witnessed the presence of esteemed dignitaries including Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, and Navy Chief Admiral R Hari Kumar.

Here are 10 key points about the newly commissioned warship:

1. Visakhapatnam-Class Destroyer: INS Imphal belongs to the Visakhapatnam-class, specifically designated as P-15 Bravo or P-15B. This class represents an upgraded version of the P-15A Kolkata-class destroyers.

2. Northeastern Inspiration: Notably, INS Imphal holds the distinction of being the first warship named after a city from the northeast. The approval for this nomenclature was granted in 2019 by then-President of India, Ram Nath Kovind.

3. Stealth-Guided Missile Destroyer: Renowned for its advanced capabilities, INS Imphal is considered the most advanced stealth-guided missile destroyer. It boasts a maximum speed of 56 km/hr and is equipped with cutting-edge weapons and sensors.

4. BrahMos Missile Capability: The warship is capable of launching the BrahMos cruise missile, known as the world's fastest supersonic cruise missile, deployable from various platforms, including land, sea, air, and submarines.

5. Anti-Submarine Warfare Operations: With a focus on Anti-Submarine Warfare, INS Imphal is equipped with indigenous Rocket Launchers, Torpedo Launchers, and modern surveillance radar that provides crucial target data to the gunnery weapon systems.

6. High Indigenous Content: INS Imphal proudly boasts a 75% high indigenous content, including the BrahMos missile, torpedo tube launchers, and a 76mm super rapid gun mount. These weapon systems are developed by Indian firms.

7. Swift Construction Timeline: Notably, the time taken for the construction and sea trials of INS Imphal is the shortest ever recorded for a destroyer. Its keel was laid in 2017, and within six months from April 2023, the warship of this caliber was ready for delivery.

8. Historical Tribute: The decision to name the destroyer after Imphal, the capital of Manipur, is a poignant tribute to the state's significant contributions, including its role in the Indian freedom struggle, the Anglo-Manipur War of 1891, and Netaji Subash Chandra Bose's historic hoisting of the INA flag in Moirang in 1944.

9. Visakhapatnam-Class Companions: INS Imphal joins other destroyers in the Visakhapatnam class, including INS Visakhapatnam, INS Mormugao, and INS Surat, each representing different regions of various states. Destroyers, ranking just below aircraft carriers, are highly capable and operationally relevant vessels.

10. Pioneering Indigenous Program: India's journey in developing indigenous guided missile destroyers commenced in the 1990s with Project 15 (Delhi-class), followed by Project 15A (Kolkata-class), and now culminating in Project 15B with the commissioning of INS Imphal.