IAS Gyan

Daily News Analysis

Y 12704 (Visakhapatnam)

1st November, 2021 Security and Defence

  • Copyright infringement is not intended

Context: Y 12704 (Visakhapatnam), the lead ship of Project 15B stealth guided missile destroyers being built at Mazgaon Docks Limited (MDL), was delivered to the Indian Navy.

 

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=1768017