India's first stealth guided-missile destroyer, INS Visakhapatnam inducts in Navy

INS Visakhapatnam, one of four stealth guided-missile destroyer ships under Project 15B, was inducted into the Indian Navy's arsenal on Sunday at the Western Naval Command in Mumbai.

The induction ceremony of the indigenously manufactured Visakhapatnam, viewed as another Atmanirbhar success storey in the sphere of defence production, was attended by Minister of Defence Rajnath Singh and key naval commanders.

Visakhapatnam is equipped with supersonic surface-to-surface and surface-to-air missiles, medium and short-range guns, anti-submarine rockets, and modern electronic warfare and communication gear, among other weaponry and sensors.

According to an official, the ship is also ready to combat in nuclear, biological, and chemical (NBC) warfare scenarios.

The warship, which has an overall length of 163 metres and a displacement of about 7400 tonnes, is one of India's largest destroyers. It is a powerful platform capable of a wide range of tasks and missions encompassing the entire spectrum of maritime warfare.

INS Visakhapatnam was designed by the Directorate of Naval Design of the Indian Navy and built by Mazagon Dock Limited. It can carry two integrated helicopters and has a high level of automation thanks to sophisticated digital networks, combat management systems, and integrated platform management systems.

It is the first of four stealth guided-missile destroyers being developed under Project 15B, which costs Rs 35,000 crore. The second ship is scheduled to be commissioned in 2023, with the other two following in 2025.

With the changing power dynamics in the Indian Ocean region, Visakhapatnam will increase the Indian Navy's mobility, reach, and flexibility in carrying out its mission.