Indian Defence Minister recently launched two warships of the Indian Navy – INS Surat and INS Udaygiri, in Mumbai. Respective elements that make these ships remarkable for the defence sector have been discussed below.
INS Surat: Project 15B Destroyer
INS Surat is the fourth ship of Project 15B Destroyers, marking a notable transformation of the P15A (Kolkata Class) Destroyers. The first ship of this class, Visakhapatnam, was commissioned in 2021, while the second and third ships – Mormugao and Imphal – are at varying stages of fitting out and trials.
The ship is named after the commercial capital of Gujarat, Surat, which also happens to be the second-largest commercial hub in western India after Mumbai. Surat city has a rich history in maritime activities and shipbuilding. In fact, vessels constructed in this city during the 16th and 18th centuries were recognised for their longevity, often exceeding more than 100 years.
Significantly, the ship Surat has been constructed using the Block construction approach. This technique includes the hull fabrication at two different geographical locations and later merging them together at MDL, Mumbai.
About Project 15B
Project 15B involves the construction of some of the world’s most technologically advanced Guided Missile Destroyers. These ships come with state-of-the-art weaponry and sensor packages, sophisticated stealth features, and a high degree of automation.
In 2011, the undertaking to construct four warships – Visakhapatnam, Mormugao, Imphal, and Surat – was inked under the Project-15B programme, initially worth Rs 29,643.74 crore. However, the final cost surged to Rs 35,000 crore. All four ships, named after cities from four distinct corners of the country, are expected to be inducted by 2024.
Features of P-15B Ships
The Project 15B ships are armed with BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles and long-range Surface-to-Air Missiles (SAM). Besides, they also include multiple indigenous weapons systems like medium range SAMs, indigenous torpedo launches, anti-submarine indigenous rocket launchers, and a super rapid gun mount measuring 76-mm.
INS Udaygiri: Project 17A Frigate
INS Udaygiri is the third ship of Project 17A frigates. It has been named after a mountain range located in the state of Andhra Pradesh. Interestingly, ‘Udaygiri’ is a reiteration of the erstwhile ‘Udaygiri’, the Leander Class ASW Frigate, which served the nation from 1976 to 2007.
Under the P17A program, four ships are being built at Mazagon Dock Limited (MDL), Mumbai, and three at GRSE. For the first time in indigenous warship design and construction, unique ideas and technologies like Integrated Construction, Mega Block Outsourcing, Project Data Management/Project Lifecycle Management (PDM/PLM) have been introduced.
About Project 17A Frigates
Project 17A frigates follow the P17 Frigates (Shivalik Class) and tout enhanced stealth features, advanced weapons and sensors, and platform management systems. A total of seven ships are being constructed, four at Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders (MDL), Mumbai, and three at Garden Reach Ship Builders Limited (GRSE), Kolkata.
Features of P-17A Ships
One of the primary advanced stealth features of the P-17A involves a smaller radar cross-section achieved through a special superstructure shape leading to reduced radar wave reflections. Further, the ship’s low acoustic noise emanating from propellers or operating machinery like Diesel Generators makes it difficult for other ships’ sonars to detect its presence. This stealth capability is critically important in improving the ship’s survivability in any hostile environment during operations.
