Mumbai, December 26, 2023 – In a momentous ceremony at the Naval Dockyard in Mumbai, Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh commissioned the INS Imphal, a Project 15B stealth guided missile destroyer, marking a significant milestone in India’s defense capabilities. The event underscored the vessel’s role as a symbol of ‘Aatmanirbharta’ (self-reliance) in defense.
With 75% indigenous content, advanced stealth features, and cutting-edge equipment, INS Imphal stands as a testament to India’s commitment to strengthening maritime power and safeguarding national interests. The ship’s commissioning aligns with India’s maritime principle of ‘Jalmev Yasya, Balmev Tasya’ (One Who Controls the Sea is All Powerful), particularly in the Indo-Pacific region.
Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh praised INS Imphal as a confluence of national strengths, integrating contributions from Brahmos Aerospace, Larsen & Toubro (L&T), Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL), Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), as well as various start-ups and MSMEs. The vessel, measuring 163m in length and 17m in breadth, with a displacement of 7,400 tonnes, is among India’s most potent warships, capable of speeds exceeding 30 knots.
The commissioning ceremony emphasized India’s evolving stance as a Net Security Provider in the Indian Ocean Region. Raksha Mantri Singh addressed recent attacks on Merchant Vessels ‘Chem Pluto’ and ‘Sai Baba,’ expressing the government’s resolve to bring the perpetrators to justice. He highlighted the need for continuous Navy modernization to secure national interests, emphasizing the importance of sea routes for India’s goods trade.
Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral R Hari Kumar applauded INS Imphal as a symbol of the Indian Navy’s commitment to self-reliance, aligning with the ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat’ vision. He affirmed the ship’s role in deterring physical threats and promoting national unity. The Chief of the Naval Staff projected confidence in the commissioning of the fourth Project 15B destroyer, ‘Surat,’ in 2024.
INS Imphal, the first warship named after a city in the Northeast, completed trials and sea sorties in a record time frame of less than six months. The ship, armed with Surface-to-Surface Missiles, Surface-to-Air Missiles, Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) systems, and more, enhances the Navy’s mobility, reach, and flexibility in safeguarding maritime security.
The vessel’s unique features include enhanced stealth capabilities, reducing Radar Cross Section, and high indigenization, aligning with the ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government aims to create a nationalistic workforce, with the Navy seeking to induct at least one Agniveer from each district, block, and village across the country.
The commissioning ceremony was attended by Maharashtra Chief Minister Shri Eknath Shinde, Vice Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command, and Shri Sanjeev Singhal, Director (Finance) with Additional Charge of Chairman & Managing Director, MDL. The ship, commanded by Captain KK Choudhury, is set to play a pivotal role in securing India’s maritime interests.
