INS Visakhapatnam: India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called it a proud day as the lead ship of locally developed stealth destroyer of project 15B class, INS Visakhapatnam was inducted into the Indian Navy on Sunday.
In a tweet sent late night, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, whose government last year announced a highly ambitious Atma Nirbhar Abhiyan (a self-reliant India) to cut down the country’s dependence on imports in crucial sectors, including defence, reiterated that the defence modernization will continue with full vigour.
“Today is a proud day for India’s quest to become Aatmanirbhar in the defence sector. INS Visakhapatnam is commissioned into Indian Navy!” said the Prime Minister.
Prime Minister Modi said the warship was indigenously developed and it would strengthen the country’s security apparatus.
“Our efforts towards defence modernisation continues with full vigour.” modernization will continue with full vigour,” he said.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi
INS Visakhapatnam
INS Visakhapatnam measures 163 meter in length, 17 meter in breadth with a displacement of 7,400 tonnes and can rightfully be regarded as one of the most potent warships to have been constructed in India.
The ship is propelled by four powerful Gas Turbines, in a Combined Gas and Gas (COGAG) configuration, capable of achieving speeds in excess of 30 knots.
The ship has enhanced stealth features resulting in a reduced Radar Cross Section (RCS) achieved through efficient shaping of hull, full beam superstructure design, plated masts and use of radar transparent materials on exposed decks.
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The ship is packed with sophisticated state-of-the-art weapons and sensors such as Surface-to-Surface missile and Surface-to-Air missiles. It is fitted with a modern surveillance radar which provides target data to the gunnery weapon systems of the ship.
The anti-submarine warfare capabilities are provided by the indigenously developed rocket launchers, torpedo launchers and ASW helicopters. The ship is equipped to fight under Nuclear, Biological and Chemical (NBC) warfare conditions.
INS Visakhapatnam.
A unique feature of this ship is the high level of indigenisation incorporated in the production, accentuating the national objective of ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’.
Some of the major indigenised systems onboard INS Visakhapatnam include Combat Management System, Rocket Launcher, Torpedo Tube Launcher, Integrated Platform Management System, Automated Power Management System, Foldable Hangar Doors, Helo Traversing system, Close-in Weapon System and the Bow mounted SONAR.
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Named after the historic city of Andhra Pradesh on the east coast, Visakhapatnam, the ‘City of Destiny’, the ship has a total complement of about 315 personnel.
Enhanced crew comfort is a significant feature of INS Visakhapatnam, which has been ensured through ergonomically designed accommodation based on ‘modular’ concepts. The ship will be under the command of Captain Birendra Singh Bains, a Navigation & Direction specialist.
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