Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Tuesday that the commissioning of the INS Imphal, an indigenously built stealth-guided missile destroyer, into the Indian Navy demonstrates India’s rising defense self-reliance.
In a post on X, PM Modi lauded the people involved in the commissioning of the INS Imphal and said that it epitomises country’s naval excellence and engineering prowess.
“Proud moment for India as INS Imphal has been commissioned into our Navy, a testament to India’s growing self-reliance in defence. It epitomises our naval excellence and engineering prowess. Compliments to everyone involved in this milestone for Aatmanirbharta. We shall keep securing our seas and strengthening our nation,” PM said, reacting to a post by ‘SpokespersonNavy’ wherein it posted a video of INS Imphal.
On Tuesday, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Navy Chief Admiral R Hari Kumar, Maharashtra Chief Minister Ekanth Shinde, and other dignitaries commissioned the indigenously manufactured stealth-guided missile destroyer INS Imphal.
Mazagon Dock Ltd handed the ship to the Indian Navy on October 20, 2023.
According to the Defence Ministry, INS Imphal is the first warship to be named after a city in the northeast, highlighting the region’s and Manipur’s importance and commitment to this nation and Indian Navy.
On May 19, 2017, the keel was laid, and the ship was launched on April 20, 2019. The ship set sail for her maiden sea sortie on April 28, 2023, and conducted extensive trials in port and at sea before being delivered on October 20, 2023, a record time period of less than six months.
The time it took to develop and test INS Imphal was the shortest for any indigenous destroyer. Prior to commissioning, the ship successfully performed the first-ever test-firing of an extended-range Brahmos missile, making it ‘weapon-ready,’ according to the ministry.
The keel of the Imphal was laid on May 19, 2017, and the ship was launched into the ocean on April 20, 2019.
Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh who was present at the event said that the INS Imphal is a shining example of ‘Aatmanirbharta’ in defence and a reflection of the commitment of the Indian Navy, MDL and all other stakeholders towards national security.
He also stated that India’s growing economic and strategic power has filled some forces with jealousy and hatred.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said, “INS Imphal is a symbol of India’s growing maritime power and it will strengthen it further. It will bolster our principle of ‘Jalmev Yasya, Balmev Tasya’ (One Who Controls the Sea is All Powerful) in the Indo-Pacific region.”
According to the Defence Ministry, the ship measures 163m in length and 17m in breadth, with a displacement of 7,400 tonnes and is among 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 speeds in excess of 30 knots.
Admiral R Hari Kumar, Chief of the Naval Staff, noted on the occasion that INS Imphal is a bright emblem of the Indian Navy’s unwavering commitment to attaining the objective of self-reliance in defense.
He also termed it a testament to the ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat’ vision of the government. He added that the ship will not only tackle physical threats that emanate from the seas but will also demonstrate the strength of an integrated country. “INS Imphal will deter the various designs that try to harm national unity. It will breathe fire upon the enemy and demonstrate unflinching resolve in the face of adversity,” he said.
The Chief of Naval Staff expressed confidence in the fourth Project 15B stealth-guided missile destroyer ‘Surat’ being commissioned in 2024.
Prior to the commissioning of INS Imphal, the Navy received two destroyers of the same class, INS Visakhapatnam and INS Mormugao, in 2021 and 2022, respectively.
Admiral R Hari Kumar stated that the Indian Navy has deployed four destroyers from the Project 15B and 15A classes to combat piracy and drone attacks on commerce vessels. He went on to say that the P8I Aircraft, Dorniers, Sea Guardians, Helicopters, and Coast Guard Ships were all deployed in tandem to address these threats.
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Source: NDTV
