INS Imphal is the third ship of the Visakhapatnam-class stealth guided missile destroyer of the Indian Navy. She was being constructed at Mazagon Dock Limited (MDL) and has been launched on 20 April 2019. The ship started sea trials on 28 April 2023, and was delivered to the Indian Navy on 20 October 2023.[7][8] It was commissioned on 26 December 2023.[9]
INS Imphal
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History | |
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India | |
Name | Imphal |
Namesake | Imphal |
Owner | Indian Navy |
Operator | Indian Navy |
Builder | Mazagon Dock Limited |
Cost | Rs. 8,950 Crore (1.3 Billion USD) |
Laid down | 19 May 2017 |
Launched | 20 April 2019 |
Acquired | 20 October 2023 |
Commissioned | 26 December 2023 [1] |
Identification | Pennant number: D68 |
Status | Commissioned [2] |
Badge | |
General characteristics | |
Type | Guided missile destroyer |
Displacement | 7,400 t (7,300 long tons; 8,200 short tons)[3] |
Length | 163 m (535 ft) |
Beam | 17.4 m (57 ft) |
Draft | 6.5 m (21 ft) |
Propulsion |
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Speed | In excess of 30 knots (56 km/h) |
Range | 8,000 nautical miles (15,000 km; 9,200 mi) at 18 knots (33 km/h; 21 mph)[5] |
Endurance | 45 days |
Boats & landing craft carried | 4 x RHIB |
Crew | 300 (50 officers + 250 sailors) |
Sensors and processing systems |
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Electronic warfare & decoys | |
Armament |
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Aircraft carried | 2 × HAL Dhruv (or) Sea King Mk. 42B |
Aviation facilities | Enclosed helicopter hangar and flight deck capable of accommodating two multi-role helicopters. |
Notes | Modified derivative of the Kolkata-class destroyer.[6] |
The ship was named in recognition of Manipur's sacrifices and contribution to India's freedom struggle including the Anglo-Manipur War of 1891 or the Indian National Army under leadership of Subhas Chandra Bose raising the Indian flag on 14 April 1944 at Moirang.[10] It is the first Indian Navy ship named after a city in Northeast India.[11]
Construction
editThe keel of Imphal was laid down on 19 May 2017, and she was launched on 20 April 2019 at Mazagon Dock Limited of Mumbai.[12][13] She began her sea trials on 28 April 2023.[14] She was subsequently delivered to the Indian Navy on 20 October 2023.[15] She was commissioned on 26 December 2023 in the presence of the Defence Minister Rajnath Singh at Mumbai. Captain Kamal Kumar Choudhury is the commissioning commanding officer.[16]
Ship badge
editThe badge depicts the Kangla Sanathong (Meitei for 'Kangla Golden Gate') on the left and Kanglā Shā on the right, two of the most remarkable cultural heritages of the Meitei civilization. The Kangla Palace is situated in Imphal and is an important historical and archaeological site of Manipur. It was the traditional seat of the Ningthouja dynasty. The Kanglā Shā is a mythical being from Meitei mythology and religion. Considered sacred to Meitei heritage, it has a dragon's head and lion's body, and is the guardian/protector of its people. Kanglā Shā is also the state emblem of Manipur.[17]
Deployment
editThe ship was deployed in the Arabian Sea immediately after commissioning as part of a task force meant to deter Houthi attacks on commercial shipping in the area.[18]
Gallery
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Imphal Y-12706 launching during trials.
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BrahMos being launched from Imphal Y-12706.
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Imphal Y-12706, Visakhapatnam class launching during trials.
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Bose, Mrityunjay. "Imphal missile destroyer to be commissioned to Indian Navy on Dec 26". Deccan Herald. Retrieved 16 December 2023.
- ^ Bose, Mrityunjay. "Imphal missile destroyer to be commissioned to Indian Navy on Dec 26". Deccan Herald. Retrieved 16 December 2023.
- ^ Shukla, Ajay (21 April 2015). "INS Visakhapatnam shows growing Indian ability to build warships economically". Business Standard. Retrieved 28 July 2023.
- ^ "Project 15B Guided Missile Destroyers".
- ^ "Navy Launches Guided Missile Destroyer INS Imphal Under Project 15B". NDTV.com. Press Trust of India. 20 April 2019. Retrieved 6 July 2019.
- ^ "THIRD PROJECT 15B INDIGENOUS DESTROYER IMPHAL DELIVERED TO INDIAN NAVY". 20 October 2023. Retrieved 21 October 2023.
- ^ Bose, Mrityunjay. "Imphal missile destroyer to be commissioned to Indian Navy on Dec 26". Deccan Herald. Retrieved 16 December 2023.
- ^ "CURTAIN RAISER". pib.gov.in. Retrieved 1 January 2024.
- ^ "In a First, Indian Navy Names Warship After Northeast City". The Wire. Retrieved 27 April 2019.
- ^ "Keel laid for the third ship of P15B class destroyers | Freepress Journal Release". 22 September 2017. Archived from the original on 22 September 2017. Retrieved 20 April 2019.
- ^ "Indian Navy: Navy chief launches new guided missile destroyer 'INS Imphal'". The Economic Times. Retrieved 20 April 2019.
- ^ "Imphal, Indian Navy's Third Ship of Project 15B, Sails for Maiden Sea Trials". Press Information Bureau. Government of India. 28 April 2023. Retrieved 30 April 2023.
- ^ "THIRD PROJECT 15B INDIGENOUS DESTROYER IMPHAL DELIVERED TO INDIAN NAVY". Press Information Bureau. 20 October 2023. Retrieved 24 October 2024.
- ^ "New stealth destroyer INS Imphal joins fleet". Hindustan Times. 27 December 2023. Retrieved 27 December 2023.
- ^ "Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh unveils crest of Project 15B stealth guided missile destroyer Yard 12706 (Imphal)". pib.gov.in. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
- ^ https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/missile-specialist-to-navigation-expert-the-crew-of-ins-imphal-101704082703239.html [bare URL]