INS Mormugao: Amid China's increasing presence in the Indian Ocean region, the Indian Navy has commissioned the indigenously-built guided missile destroyer INS Mormugao on Sunday. It was commissioned on the eve of Goa Liberation Day at the naval dockyard in Mumbai. This was the second of the four destroyers of the 'Visakhapatnam' class that were added to the fleet to increase marine capability. It has been indigenously designed by the Indian Navy's Warship Design Bureau and constructed by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd {MDSL}.

Capabilities and weaponry

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One of the most powerful warships ever built in India, the INS Mormugao is 163 meters long, 17 meters wide, and has a displacement of 7,400 tonnes. According to the Indian Navy, the warship is equipped with a variety of highly advanced sensors, cutting-edge radar, and armament systems such as surface-to-surface missiles and surface-to-air missiles.

The ship, which bears the name Mormugao after the historic Goan port city, is propelled by four strong gas engines and has a top speed of more than 30 knots. The ship's rocket launchers, torpedo launchers, and ASW helicopters were all designed indigenously. These weapons are used for anti-submarine warfare (ASW).

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Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in a statement said that with over 75% indigenous content, all its major weapons and sensors have been developed and manufactured in India either directly through design and development by Indian Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) or through strategic tie-ups and Transfer of Technology with reputed foreign OEMs.

What is project PB15?

P15B destroyers are a class of four ships built by India’s MDSL. In accordance with Project 15B, the ships were to be named after four significant Indian cities: Visakhapatnam, Mormugao, Imphal, and Surat. INS Visakhapatnam was inducted in November last year. The contract for the ships was originally signed in 2011. These ships are intended to be more technologically sophisticated than those of the Kolkata class under the 15A project- INS Kolkata, INS Kochi, and INS Chennai.

The Defence Minister said that P15B destroyers incorporate new design concepts for improved survivability, seakeeping, and maneuverability. P15B destroyers are a hallmark of self-reliance in warship design and building and a shining example of ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat', he added.

(With inputs from PTI)

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