Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday formally commissioned the INS Visakhapatnam, the first stealth-guided missile destroyer ship of Project 15B, into the Indian Navy at the Naval Dockyard in Mumbai.
Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Karambir Singh is the Chief Guest at the event where Singh is the Guest of Honour.
Addressing the event, the Defence Minister said that the Indian Navy, in the field of indigenous ships andsubmarines manufacturing, has been on front foot, with initiatives like ‘Make in India’.
“We have to maintain the speed with which we are getting success. The govt is ready to help in whichever way possible,” he stressed.
“Our Navy’s role is very important as India’s a part of the Indo-Pacific route. PM Modi’s policy of SAGAR embodies the same values. We have every opportunity to build India an indigenous ship-building hub,” he said.
In an apparent swipe at China, he said, “Some irresponsible nations violate ethics of UNCLOS, 1982 for narrow partisan interests. India, a responsible maritime stakeholder, believes in navigation’s freedom, free trade and an Indo-Pacific route with universal values.”
INS Visakhapatnam was constructed using indigenous steel DMR 249A and is amongst the largest destroyers manufactured in India, with an overall length of 163 mts and a displacement of more than 7,400 tons.
The vessel is capable of undertaking multifarious tasks and missions in the full spectrum of maritime warfare.
INS Visakhapatnam is equipped with an array of weapons and sensors, including supersonic surface-to-surface and surface-to-air missiles, medium and short-range guns, anti-submarine rockets and advanced electronic warfare and communication suits.
The ship is propelled by powerful combined gas-and-gas propulsion, enabling it to achieve a speed of over 30 knots. It has the capability of embarking two integrated helicopters as well.
The vessel also boasts of a very high level of automation with sophisticated digital networks, Combat Management System and Integrated Platform Management System.
“We are ready for INS Visakhapatnam’s commissioning. Our indigenous content is the highest today. After commissioning, we will continue with a few more trials and will be one with the fleet,” Captain Birendra Singh Bains, Commanding Officer (designate) of INS Visakhapatnam, said.
INS Visakhapatnam has a significant indigenous content of approximately 75%, being a remarkable addition to the Indian defence sector in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’.
“Visakhapatnam-class ships, built with indigenous steel, are follow-on of the Kolkata class destroyers commissioned in the last decade. Designed by the Directorate of Naval Design and built by M/s Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd, Mumbai. The four ships are named after major cities of the country, viz. Visakhapatnam, Mormugao, Imphal and Surat,” the Indian Navy said in an official statement.
