New stealth destroyer launched at Mazgaon Dock

The latest stealth destroyer, Visakhapatnam, was launched at Mazagon Dock on Monday. Yet to be commissioned, besides it there are 48 other platforms under construction at various shipyards across the country.

"At the moment, there are 48 different types of vessels under construction in public and private shipyards, which include frigates, destroyers, aircraft carriers and submarines," said Admiral RK Dhowan, chief of naval staff.

At Mazgaon Dock itself, at present, four destroyers and six submarines are under various stages of construction.

After the launching ceremony, detailing about indigenous capabilities for warship building as well as for equipment installed on board, Dhowan said, "In the float segment, we have achieved 90% indigenous capability. On the move segment, ie propulsion, as of now 60% of India-made propulsions have happened." Similarly, only 30-40% of indigenous sensors and weapons are being made in India in the fighting segment.

In fact, Visakhapatnam is 65% indigenous vessel as several of its apparatus or equipment have been procured from other countries — its Zorya gas turbines are from Ukraine.

The latest stealth destroyer is the first of the four guided missile destroyers under Project 15B, being built by Mazagon Dock Limited. The warship will be commissioned into the Indian Navy only in July 2018. The vessel is a follow-on of Project 15A Kolkata class destroyers with enhanced features.

Stealth features of this latest warship are better than its previous versions as the shape of the hull and radar-transparent deck fittings will only make it difficult for the enemy to detect Visakhapatnam.