The government has cleared another major programme, 'Project-15B', to indigenously construct four guided-missile stealth destroyers for around Rs 30,000-crore at Mazagon Docks.
In its quest to become a powerful three-dimensional blue-water force and maintain a fleet of around 140 "surface and sub-surface combatants", the Navy already has 30 warships and six submarines on order in various Indian shipyards.
Moreover, it has an aircraft carrier, Admiral Gorshkov or INS Vikramditya, three additional Talwar-class stealth frigates in Russia, as also two fleet tankers in Italy under construction.
Project-15B, which will be undertaken at MDL after the three Kolkata-class 6,700-tonne destroyers already being constructed there under a long-delayed Rs 11,662-crore project are finally delivered in 2012-2014, is understood to have been cleared by the Cabinet Committee on Security on Wednesday evening. It was earlier cleared by the Defence Acquisitions Council, chaired by defence minister A K Antony, in July.
The Indian Navy has launched its second stealth destroyer – INS Kochi. In keeping with the tradition, the warship was launched by Madhulika Verma, wife of Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Nirmal Verma, at Mazgon Docks at 11.20 a.m. As she pressed the launch trigger, the 6,800 ton destroyer, resplendent in its colorful buntings, slid down the slip way into the warm waters of the Arabian Sea, even as the Naval band played ‘Saare Jahaan Se Achchaa…” INS Kochi is the second missile destroyer of Project 15-A, being built at the Mazgon Docks. This 163 meters long will have state-of-the art weapons and sensors, stealth features, an advanced action information system, a comprehensive auxiliary system, sophisticated power distribution system and a host of other advanced features. Kochi will be fitted with the supersonic BrahMos surface-to-surface missiles. It’s surface-to-air missile system is being developed in collaboration with the Defence Research Development Organization, DRDO. The ship will also be fitted with twin-tube torpedo launchers and anti-submarine rocket launchers, besides AK-630 rapid fire guns. The ship propelled by four gas turbines can travel at a speed of 30 knots. For the first time, Mazgon Docks used a pontoon assisted launching method in collaboration with a Russian firm Baltisky Zavod. Under this method pontoons are welded to the hull, which give buoyancy and helps overcome tidal constraints. In his welcome address, Chairman & Managing Director of Mazgon Dock Ltd, Vice Admiral (Retd), H S Malhi said the Project 15-A, ships represent a major landmark in show-casing India’s warship design and manufacturing capability. Earlier, addressing a ceremonial parade in Mumbai, Admiral Nirmal Verma said that the responsibilities of the Navy have increased many folds after the 26/11 terror attacks, and there is a need for unified command for coastal security. INS Kochi, is expected to be ready for commissioning into the Indian Navy by 2012. The first warship of Project 15-A, INS Kolkata will join the fleet in 2010. Source: Mumbai Press Bureau
