INS Imphal
Context:
- Recently, INS Imphal was commissioned into the Indian Navy in Mumbai.
- Defence Minister boasted that the commissioning of INS Imphal will boost India’s maritime capabilities.
- He also said that the induction of INS Imphal into the Indian Navy implies India’s self-reliance in the defence sector.
- One of the specialties of INS Imphal is that it is made in India from conceptualisation of design to construction projecting Self-reliant India.
About INS Imphal:
- It is the third of the four ‘Project 15 Bravo Visakhapatnam class’ guided missile destroyers.
- The fourth in the series will be named INS Surat.
- INS Imphal measures 163m in length, and 17m in breadth with a displacement of about 7,400 tonnes and is one of the most potent warships built in India.
- It is propelled by four powerful Gas Turbines, in a Combined Gas and Gas configuration, and is capable of attaining speeds in excess of 30 knots.
- It is also capable of launching the BrahMos cruise missile which is the world’s fastest supersonic cruise missile.
- INS Imphal is the first warship named after a city from the northeast of the Country.
- With about nearly 75 per cent indigenous content, enhanced stealth features and state-of-the-art equipment, the INS Imphal will further boost India’s maritime power and safeguard India’s interests.
- Additionally, a BrahMos Missile also has been installed in INS Imphal by the BrahMos Aerospace.
- The ship is also has the capability to fight under Nuclear, Biological and Chemical warfare conditions.
- It is armed with sophisticated technologies and state-of-the-art weapons and sensors which include Surface-to-Surface Missiles, Surface-to-Air Missiles, Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) rocket launchers and Torpedo launchers, ASW helicopters, radars, sonar and Electronic Warfare systems.
Significance of INS Imphal:
- Defence Minister said that the INS Imphal reflects upon India’s growing maritime power.
- INS Imphal is one of the most technologically advanced guided missile destroyers in the world.
- INS Imphal will further strengthen principle of “Jalmev Yasya, Balmev Tasya (One who controls the sea is all powerful), which is also said by Defence Minister.
- The name of this INS has been kept on the name of the city Imphal which signifies the glory of the northeast.
- The sanction of the Project was done in Delhi, which is in north India.
- The project under which INS Imphal comes, 15B project involves India’s four big cities i.e, are Visakhapatnam, Mormugao, Imphal, and Surat.
- INS Imphal comes under the Visakhapatnam class which represents southern part of India.
- It was built by Mazagon Dock shipbuilders located in Mumbai in the Eastern part of India.
- It can be said that INS Imphal has the majesty of the North, South, East and West of India, which reflects upon the unity and integrity of the nation.
