INS Imphal, a stealth guided missile destroyer, was recently inducted into the Indian Navy, bolstering the country's naval capabilities. The vessel, commissioned in the presence of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral R Hari Kumar, is equipped to operate under nuclear, biological, and chemical warfare conditions.
This 163m-long, 17m-broad destroyer, with a displacement of 7,400 tonnes, stands as one of India's most potent warships. Armed with an array of sophisticated weaponry and sensors, including Surface-to-Surface Missiles, Surface-to-Air Missiles, and Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) systems, INS Imphal is a formidable addition to the naval fleet.
Enhanced stealth features on the ship, resulting in reduced radar detection, have been achieved through careful hull shaping, full beam superstructure design, plated masts, and the use of radar-transparent materials on exposed decks.
Notably, about 75% of the ship's components are indigenous, a testament to the government's 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' initiative. These indigenous elements include the Combat Management System, Rocket and Torpedo Launchers, Integrated Platform Management System, and more.
INS Imphal, propelled by four powerful Gas Turbines in a Combined Gas and Gas configuration, is capable of speeds exceeding 30 knots. The vessel is the first warship named after a city in the North-east, signifying the region's importance and contribution to the nation and the Indian Navy.
The ship's efficient sea trials, which commenced on April 28, 2023, and its subsequent delivery on October 20, 2023, within a record time frame of less than six months, underscore its readiness and efficiency in service.
(With Agency Inputs)
ALSO READ | Commissioning Ceremony Set for Indian Navy's New Stealth Destroyer 'INS Imphal'
