In a historic moment for the Indian Navy, the latest addition to its fleet, the stealth-guided missile destroyer INS Imphal, is poised to be commissioned at the Naval Dockyard in Mumbai on December 26. The commissioning ceremony will be graced by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, serving as the Chief Guest for the event.
The announcement was made by the Raksha Mantri’s Office on social media, stating, “The Indian Navy is all set to commission its latest Stealth Guided Missile Destroyer ‘Imphal’ at the Naval Dockyard in Mumbai. Tomorrow, December 26th, RM Rajnath Singh will grace the ceremony.”
Imphal is the third of the four ‘Visakhapatnam’ class destroyers, designed by the Indian Navy’s Warship Design Bureau and constructed by Mazagon Dock Limited, Mumbai. A notable aspect is that Imphal is the first warship named after a city from the North East, emphasizing the region’s significance for national security, sovereignty, and prosperity.
The vessel, measuring 163 meters in length and displacing 7,400 tons, boasts a remarkable 75 percent indigenous content. Having completed a rigorous trial program, Imphal was delivered to the Indian Navy on October 20. A groundbreaking achievement for the warship was the successful test-firing of the extended-range supersonic BrahMos missile in November 2023, a testament to India’s prowess in indigenous weaponry.
According to a press release from the Ministry of Defence, the commissioning ceremony will mark the formal induction of INS Imphal into the Navy, and it will join the Western Naval Command. The ship’s crest was unveiled by the Raksha Mantri on November 28 in New Delhi, showcasing the collaborative efforts of various sectors, including public and private entities and the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
INS Imphal is equipped with advanced weaponry and sensors, including Surface-to-Surface and Surface-to-Air Missiles, Anti-Submarine Warfare capabilities, and modern surveillance radar. The ship’s combat capabilities extend to Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical (NBC) warfare conditions, highlighting its versatility and preparedness.
Major contributors to the construction of INS Imphal include both major original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) such as BEL, L&T, Godrej, BrahMos, and many more.
The speedy construction and trial period of INS Imphal set a record for the shortest duration for any indigenous destroyer. From keel laying on May 19, 2017, to delivery on October 20, 2023, within just six months, the ship’s journey underscores India’s commitment to ‘AatmaNirbhar Bharat’ and showcases the nation’s growing shipbuilding prowess.
The commissioning of INS Imphal serves as a tribute to the city of Imphal and the state of Manipur, recognizing their sacrifices and contributions to India’s freedom struggle. This state-of-the-art destroyer embodies India’s naval strength and its dedication to security, sovereignty, and prosperity.
