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In a major boost to the Indian Navy, INS Visakhapatnam was commissioned today by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh at the Naval Dockyard in Mumbai. It is the first stealth-guided missile destroyer ship of Project 15B and a crucial step for the Navy to demonstrate its indigenous capability to build complex combat platforms.
The destroyer is capable to enhance the Navy’s capacity and firepower to battle threats by a margin. The event marked the formal induction of the first of the four Visakhapatnam class destroyers, into the Indian Navy.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr Singh said India’s defence sector is becoming more self-reliant. The Defence Minister also assured to give all support to Navy’s all future endeavours.
The commissioning of INS Visakhapatnam reaffirms India’s presence amongst an elite group of nations with the capability to design and build advanced warships.
Besides indigenous equipment in the float and move categories, the destroyer ship is also equipped with major indigenous weapons such as indigenous medium range surface to air missile systems, surface to surface missiles, torpedo tubes and launchers.
Captain Birendra Singh Bains, the commanding officer (designate) of INS Visakhapatnam said the indigenous content is the highest today. He said, a few more trials will continue and will be one with the fleet.
Propelled with combined gas and gas propulsion, INS Visakhapatnam carries a speed of over 30 knots. The ship has the capacity of embarking two integrated helicopters to further extend its reach. It is processed with a very high level of mechanisation which includes a Combat Management System and Integrated Platform Management System.
The Indian Navy will also commission the submarine Vela on November 25 and chief of naval staff Admiral Karambir Singh will be the chief guest at the commissioning ceremony. Vela will be the fourth submarine of project 75.
