INS Visakhapatnam was formally commissioned into the Indian Navy in the presence of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh at the Naval Dockyard in Mumbai on Sunday. INS Visakhapatnam is a P15B stealth-guided missile destroyer. It is indigenously designed by the Indian Navy’s in-house organisation, Directorate of Naval Design and constructed by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited, Mumbai.
“Our Navy’s role is very important as India is a part of the Indo-Pacific route. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s policy of SAGAR embodies the same values. We have every opportunity to build India an indigenous ship-building hub,” the Defence Minister said at the commissioning ceremony at Mumbai Dockyard.
Rajnath Singh also praised the efforts of the Indian Navy in developing indigenous ships.
He also talked about the Indo-Pacific in his speech: “Indo-Pacific is a key route and it is important for the world economy. It is the primary objective of the Indian Navy to keep the route secure.”
“The entire world is increasing its military power in coming years and expenditure on defence budget will increase. We have moved towards the development of an indigenous shipbuilding hub,” said Singh. “Out of 41 ships ordered by Indian Navy 38 ships have been developed in India. It is the best example of indigenisation,” he added.
INS Visakhapatnam is the first stealth-guided missile destroyer ship of Project 15B. INS Visakhapatnam has been constructed using indigenous steel DMR 249A and is amongst the largest destroyers constructed in India with an overall length of 163m and displacement of over 7,400 tons. The ship has a significant indigenous content of approx. 75% contributing towards AtmaNirbhar Bharat. The ship is a potent platform capable of undertaking multifarious tasks and missions spanning the full spectrum of maritime warfare. INS Visakhapatnam is equipped with an array of weapons and sensors, which include 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 a powerful combined gas and gas propulsion which enables her speed of over 30 knots. The ship has the capability of embarking two integrated helicopters to further extend its reach.
The ship boasts of a very high level of automation.