India Launches New Guided Missile Destroyer

The Indian Navy launched a new guided missile destroyer, INS Imphal build indigenously under Project 15B on Saturday.

Warships built under Project 15B with a length of 163 metres and 17.4 metres at the beam and a displacement of 7.300 tonnes, are propelled by four gas turbines to achieve speeds in excess of 30 knots.

Ships under this project can carry and operate two multiple role helicopters. Enhanced stealth features have been achieved through the shaping of hull and use of radar transparent deck fittings, which make these ships difficult to detect, a Navy statement said.

The first ship of Project 15B, a guided missile destroyer christened INS Visakhapatnam, was launched on April 20, 2015.