Imphal Unveiled : A Triumph of Indigenous Shipbuilding and Maritime Strength

NEW DELHI : The unveiling of the crest for Yard 12706’s Imphal, the third Project 15B stealth guided missile destroyer, took place in New Delhi on November 28, 2023. Defence Minister Shri Rajnath Singh, accompanied by Manipur Chief Minister Shri N Biren Singh, presided over the ceremony, offering a tribute to Manipur’s integral role in India’s struggle for independence.

Designed by the Indian Navy’s Warship Design Bureau and constructed by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL), Mumbai, Imphal stands as an exemplary symbol of indigenous shipbuilding. It represents one of the most technologically advanced warships globally, reflecting India’s steadfast commitment to self-reliance.

About the Indigenous Destroyer & Crest

Imphal, with a displacement of 7,400 tons and an overall length of 164 meters, stands as a formidable guided missile destroyer, equipped with cutting-edge weaponry. The crest, adorned with the Kangla Palace and ‘Kangla-Sa,’ encapsulates Manipur’s rich historical and mythical significance.

Boasting an impressive 75 percent indigenous content, Imphal incorporates Medium Range Surface-to-Air Missiles, BrahMos Surface-to-Surface Missiles, Indigenous Torpedo Tube Launchers, Anti-Submarine Indigenous Rocket Launchers, and a 76mm Super Rapid Gun Mount, showcasing India’s technological prowess.

The ship, with its keel laid on May 19, 2017, launched on April 20, 2019, and delivered on October 20, 2023, underwent sea trials within a record six-month timeframe. Its recent successful firing of an Extended Range BrahMos missile during pre-commissioning trials underscores its operational readiness.

Breaking tradition, Imphal is the first capital warship named after a North-Eastern city, a strategic nod to India’s geographical diversity. The ceremony, attended by Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan and Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral R Hari Kumar, marks a significant milestone in India’s maritime strength and pursuit of self-sufficiency.