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Daily News Analysis

Mormugao, indigenous stealth destroyer                                                                                         

21st December, 2021 Security and Defence

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Context: Mormugao, Indian Navy's second indigenous stealth destroyer of the P15B class, planned to be commissioned in mid 2022, proceeded on her maiden sea sortie.

About Mormugao:

  • The Indian Navy played a pivotal role in the liberation and dedicating the ship's name to the maritime state of Goa will not just enhance the bonding between the Indian Navy and the people of Goa, but also link the ship's identity permanently to the crucial role the Navy played in nation-building.
  • It is being built at Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd (MDSL) as part of the Project 15B destroyers.
  • The ship incorporates several niche indigenous technologies and is a shining example of Atma Nirbhar Bharat.
  • It has provided thrust and impetus to the 'Make in India' initiative.
  • It will add significantly to the Indian Navy’s combat capabilities.

Project 15B

  • The contract for four ships of Project 15B, as the Visakhapatnam class ships are known, was signed on 28 January 2011.
  • This project is a follow-on of the Kolkata class (Project 15A) destroyers commissioned in the last decade.
  • Designed by Directorate of Naval Design, Indian Navy’s in-house design organisation; and built by M/s Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd, Mumbai.
  • The four ships are christened after major cities from all four corners of the country viz. Visakhapatnam, Mormugao, Imphal and Surat.

About Y 12704 (Visakhapatnam):

  • The 163 metres long warship has a full load displacement of 7400 tonnes and maximum speed of 30 knots.
  • The overall indigenous content of the project is approx. 75%.
  • Apart from myriad indigenous equipment in the ‘Float’ and ‘Move’ categories, the destroyer is also installed with major indigenous weapons which include: -
    • Medium Range Surface-to-Air Missiles (BEL, Bangalore).
    • BrahMos Surface-to-Surface Missiles (BrahMos Aerospace, New Delhi).
    • Indigenous Torpedo Tube Launchers (Larsen & Toubro, Mumbai).
    • Anti-Submarine Indigenous Rocket Launchers (Larsen & Toubro, Mumbai).
    • 76mm Super Rapid Gun Mount (BHEL, Haridwar).
  • The delivery of Visakhapatnam is an affirmation of the impetus being given by the Government of India and the Indian Navy towards ‘Aatma Nirbhar Bharat’ as part of 75 years of Indian Independence.

https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1783193