CONTEXT:

• The Indian Navy launched its third guided missile destroyer ‘INS Imphal’ as part of its Project 15B on 20 April 2019.
• The Navy had launched INS Vishakhapatnam, the first Project 15B ship, in April 2015, while the second ship, INS Mormugao, was launched in September 2016.
• The INS Imphal was designed indigenously by the Indian Navy’s Directorate of Naval Design.

BACKGROUND:

• Each ship under Project-15B spans 163-metre in length and 17.4-metre at beam, with a displacement of 7,300-tonne.
• These ships, which can operate two multi-role helicopters each, are propelled by four gas turbines to achieve speed in excess of 30 knots.
• These Guided missile destroyers incorporate new design concepts for improved survivability, sea keeping, stealth and manoeuvrability.
• The Project 15B missile destroyers are modern warships equipped with latest weapons package in continuation of lineage of the highly successful Delhi and Kolkata Class ships.