On Tuesday, the Indian Navy formally commissioned its latest addition to its fleet, the INS Imphal, a stealth-guided missile destroyer, at the Naval Dockyard in Mumbai. This strategic move is aimed at bolstering the country's maritime capabilities, particularly in response to the escalating naval activities of China in the Indian Ocean region. The ceremony, graced by the presence of Defense Minister Rajnath Singh as the Chief Guest, marked a significant milestone for the Indian Navy.
Notably, the INS Imphal stands out as the first warship named after a city from the Northeastern region of India, a decision that received official approval from the President in April 2019. The selection of Imphal, the capital city of Manipur, serves as a symbolic acknowledgment of the Northeast's crucial role in national security and prosperity.
This guided missile destroyer, with a displacement of 7,400 tonnes and an overall length of 164 meters, signifies a formidable and versatile addition to the Indian Navy's fleet. Equipped with cutting-edge weaponry and sensors, including surface-to-air missiles, anti-ship missiles, and torpedoes, the INS Imphal is designed to meet diverse maritime challenges.
The vessel features Combined Gas and Gas (COGAG) propulsion, enabling it to achieve speeds exceeding 30 knots (56 km/hour). An impressive aspect of the INS Imphal is its high indigenous content, accounting for approximately 75 percent. This includes advanced components such as BrahMos surface-to-surface missiles, medium-range surface-to-air missiles, anti-submarine indigenous rocket launchers, and a 76mm super rapid gun mount.
The journey to commissioning involved rigorous and comprehensive trial programs both within the harbor and at sea, with the ship officially delivered to the Indian Navy on October 20. Notably, the INS Imphal achieved a remarkable feat by successfully test-firing the extended-range supersonic BrahMos missile last month, a notable achievement for any indigenous warship even before its commissioning.
To commemorate this milestone, Defense Minister Singh unveiled the ship's crest in New Delhi last month, in the presence of the Chief Minister of Manipur. Following its commissioning, the INS Imphal is slated to become a part of the Western Naval Command, contributing to the nation's maritime defense capabilities.
