The maiden Brahmos firing at sea by the Indian Navy’s latest indigenous stealth-guided missile destroyer, Imphal (Yard 12706), resulted in a precise ‘Bulls Eye,’ marking the first-ever test-firing of the Extended Range Brahmos missile before the ship’s commissioning. Emphasising the Indian Navy’s commitment to Combat Readiness, the growing shipbuilding prowess of Aatmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India), and the reliability of indigenous weapons and platforms, the Indian Navy said in a statement issued on November 22.
Imphal, the third Project 15B stealth-guided missile destroyer, was delivered to the Indian Navy on October 20, 2023, after meticulous construction at the Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) in Mumbai.
On November 1, the Indian Navy achieved a successful BrahMos missile firing from one of its warships in the Bay of Bengal, meeting all BrahMos parameters during the test-firing. This operation took place in the Bay of Bengal under the Eastern command of the Indian Navy, showcasing the Navy’s operational preparedness.
Notably, India exports BrahMos missiles to select countries like the Philippines. Additionally, the Indian Navy tested the Extended Range capacity of these missiles during the recent exercise.
In December of the previous year, the Indian Air Force successfully tested the extended-range version of the Brahmos Air-launched missile. This variant, believed to have a range of about 400km, was launched from a Su-30 fighter aircraft, accurately hitting the target ship in the centre.
The Imphal: A Technological Marvel in India’s Project 15B Destroyer Program
The Project 15B destroyer initiative is a seamless extension of the highly successful Kolkata-class (Project 15A) destroyers, which have been commissioned over the past decade. Following its predecessors’ footsteps, the Indian Naval Ships Visakhapatnam and Mormugao have entered service within the last two years, “Imphal” (Yard 12706) is one of the largest destroyers built in India.
Designed by the Indian Navy’s Warship Design Bureau (WDB), Imphal is a testament to India’s prowess in indigenous shipbuilding, standing out as one of the most technologically advanced warships globally. With a displacement of 7,400 tons and an overall length of 164 meters, it is a potent and versatile platform.
Equipped with cutting-edge weapons and sensors, including surface-to-air missiles, anti-ship missiles, and torpedoes, the guided-missile destroyer is powered by a Combined Gas and Gas (COGAG) propulsion system, comprising four gas turbines, enabling it to achieve speeds exceeding 30 knots (approximately 56 km/h).
What sets Imphal apart is its remarkable indigenous content, constituting approximately 75 per cent of its components. It includes 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) and 76mm Super Rapid Gun Mount (BHEL, Haridwar).
The keel of Imphal was laid on 19 May 2017, and the ship was successfully launched into the water on 20 April 2019. Embarking on her maiden sea trials on 28 April 2023, Imphal has since undergone an extensive regimen of trials both in the harbour and at sea. Remarkably, the vessel was delivered within a record timeframe of just six months. Imphal’s construction and trial period stands as the shortest duration for any indigenous destroyer, highlighting the efficiency and precision of the project. Imphal is a beacon of India’s self-reliant defence technology and innovation capabilities.
Ravi Shankar
