INS Imphal: A symbol of India’s growing maritime prowess

The Indian Navy in its latest upgradation has commissioned its latest stealth destroyer, INS Imphal, the first warship with separate accommodation for women sailors. The INS Imphal is a stealth guided-missile destroyer of the Indian Navy. It is the third ship of the Project 15B class, and it is the largest and most advanced destroyer to be ever named after a city from the North-East of India.

INS Imphal was constructed by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) in Mumbai and is the third of the four warships sanctioned under an important project called P-15B aimed at boosting the navy’s capabilities in the Indian Ocean region. INS Visakhapatnam and INS Mormugao have already been commissioned. Surat, the fourth one, is under construction.

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INS Imphal is a potent and versatile platform equipped with state-of-the-art weapons and sensors, including surface-to-air missiles, anti-ship missiles, and torpedoes. It is also equipped with two helicopters onboard to further extend its reach.

INS Imphal is a major milestone in India’s indigenous shipbuilding program. It is a testament to the growing capabilities of the Indian Navy, and it will play a vital role in safeguarding India’s maritime interests.

Key features of INS Imphal

• Length: 164 meters
• Displacement: 7,400 tons
• Speed: 30 knots
• Crew: 312
• Electronics:
  • Radar: BEL 3D air and surface search radar
  • Sonar: BEL sonar suite
  • Electronic countermeasures: BEL electronic countermeasures suite
• Armament:
  • Surface-to-air missiles: BrahMos
  • Anti-ship missiles: BrahMos
  • Torpedoes: Barak-8
  • Guns: 76 mm gun

INS Imphal is a multi-role destroyer that can be used for a variety of tasks, including Air defense, Anti-submarine warfare, Surface warfare, Electronic warfare, Intelligence gathering and surveillance.

The keel for Imphal was placed on May 19, 2017, and the vessel was launched into the water on April 20, 2019. Following this, the ship embarked on its inaugural sea trials on April 28, 2023. Subsequently, it has been subjected to an extensive series of tests, both in harbor and at sea, ultimately resulting in its delivery within a remarkable timeframe of just six months. The construction and trial duration for Imphal represent the quickest completion for an indigenous destroyer.

INS Imphal will be a valuable asset to the Indian Navy, and it will play a vital role in safeguarding India’s maritime interests. The delivery of Imphal signifies the commitment of the Government of India and the Indian Navy to the ‘AatmaNirbharBharat’ initiative. The introduction of this destroyer pays homage to the collective contributions of numerous stakeholders and will bolster the maritime capabilities of the nation in the Indian Ocean Region.