During a ceremony held yesterday at Mazagaon Dock Limited (MDL), Mumbai, the Indian Navy launched its first ship of Project – 15B, Guided Missile Destroyer.
The vessel, christened ‘Visakhapatnam’, is the first of four ships of Project 15B being built at MDL. The vessel have been designed indigenously. They will have a displacement of 7300 tons, and will measure 163 m in length and 17.4 m at the beam.
Designed to be propelled by four gas turbines, the vessels are expected to reach a speed in excess of 30 knots.
The P15B destroyers incorporate new design concepts for improved survivability, sea keeping, stealth and maneuverability. They have enhanced stealth features due to their hull shape and radar transparent deck fittings which make these ships difficult to detect. These ships will be equipped to carry and operate two multiple role helicopters.
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Image: Indian Navy