The Indian Navy’s Warship Design Bureau is developing the Project 18 next-generation guided-missile destroyer. Designed to counter Indo-Pacific maritime threats, this initiative marks a transition into the cruiser-class category, with construction contracts targeted for 2028 and an emphasis on 75% indigenous content under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
Key Specifications and Strategic Capabilities
- Dimensions: Displacement of 11,000–13,000 tonnes and a length of 180 meters, making it significantly larger than the Visakhapatnam-class destroyers.
- Propulsion: Employs Integrated Electric Propulsion, reducing acoustic signatures and supporting high-energy systems like directed-energy laser weapons.
- Command Architecture: Acts as a network-centric hub capable of coordinating UAVs, USVs, and XLUUVs.
- Weapon Loadout: Features 144 Vertical Launch System (VLS) cells for a layered defense, including:
- Palash (PGLRSAM): Long-range surface-to-air/anti-ballistic missile defense (250–350 km).
- Offensive Strike: BrahMos Extended-Range, LR-LACM, and future BrahMos-II hypersonic missiles.
- Subsurface Defense: Equipped with SMART (Supersonic Missile Assisted Release of Torpedo) and the Maareech torpedo defense system.
- Sensors: Utilizes a fully indigenous S-band AESA multi-function radar developed by DRDO and BEL, capable of tracking threats beyond 500 km.
IASPOINT Booster Facts
- Destroyer Evolution: India’s indigenous progression moved from Project 15 (Delhi-class) to 15A (Kolkata-class) and 15B (Visakhapatnam-class).
- Project Kusha: An indigenous, layered long-range air defense system (similar to S-400) being integrated onto Project 18.
- Naval Goal: Targets a fleet size of 170–175 warships by 2035 to ensure credible maritime deterrence.
- UVLM: The Universal Vertical Launcher Module allows the interchangeable use of various missile types within the same launch framework.