Mormugao, also known as Y 12705, was handed over to the Indian Navy on November 24, 2012. She is the second ship of the Project 15B stealth guided missile destroyers that Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited has built (MDL). The contract for the four ships that were going to be a part of Project 15B was signed on January 28, 2011. This project is a continuation of the Kolkata class destroyers, which were part of Project 15A and were commissioned during the previous decade. On November 21, the project’s lead ship, the INS Visakhapatnam, was officially commissioned into service with the Indian Navy.
The names Visakhapatnam, Mormugao, Imphal, and Surat, were chosen for the four ships that would be built as part of this project. These cities are located in the four corners of the country. They were built in Mumbai by M/s Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd, who were given the task of designing them by the Warship Design Bureau, an organisation under the Indian Navy.
The keel of the Mormugao was set down in June 2015, and the ship was finally put into service on September 17, 2016. The Kolkata-hull class’s form, propulsion gear, platform equipment, and essential weapons and sensors have all been included in the new design so that it can be manufactured in series.
The ship has a maximum speed of 30 knots, measures 163 metres in length, and has a breadth of 17 metres. Additionally, it has a displacement of 7400 tonnes when it is completely loaded. The destroyer is outfitted with primary indigenous weapons in addition to various indigenous ‘Float’ and ‘Move’ equipment. The indigenous community contributed around 75% of the entire content for the project.
Bharat Electronics Limited in Bangalore manufactures surface-to-Air Missiles with a Medium Range. BrahMos Aerospace in New Delhi manufactures surface-to-Surface BrahMos Missiles. Local Torpedo Tube Launchers are manufactured by Larsen & Toubro in Mumbai. Anti-Submarine Indigenous Rocket Launchers are manufactured by Larsen & Toubro in Mumbai. 76mm Super Rapid Gun Mounts are manufactured by BHEL, Haridwar.
The ship has been delivered at this point, and its first voyage took place on December 19, 2021, which coincided with the celebration of Goa Liberation Day.
The early introduction of the destroyer, over three months ahead of the contractual date, despite the COVID issues, is a testament to the combined efforts of many stakeholders and will increase the country’s nautical capability in the Indian Ocean Region.
Vishakapatnam class destroyers
While the indigenous Steel DMR249 A is being utilised in constructing these destroyers for the Indian Navy, the Visakhapatnam class destroyers are among the most powerful and largest warships created in India for the Indian Navy. The ship is a formidable platform that can undertake various responsibilities and operations that span the entire spectrum of maritime combat.
The INS Visakhapatnam is powered by a robust combined gas and gas propulsion system, which enables the ship to achieve a speed of more than 30 knots. Additionally, the ship can embark on two integrated helicopters, further extending the ship’s ability to reach its objective.
The ship is equipped with a very high level of automation and highly advanced digital networks, such as the Combat Management System and the Integrated Platform Management System.
P15B destroyers utilise innovative design elements to increase their sea keeping, stealth, survivability, and manoeuvrability. Enhanced stealth qualities have been accomplished on these ships by using radar transparent deck fittings and contouring the hull. As a result, these ships are difficult to detect. The design around the region of the bridge is the primary alteration in design when compared to the class that came before the Kolkata class. These ships are required to carry and be able to operate a total of two different types of helicopters.
Ukrainian Marine Engines
The P15B project makes use of a power plant that is manufactured in Ukraine, and these engines are being installed on each of the four ships that are of this class.
Zorya -Mashproekt, a Ukrainian state-owned firm, was the company that developed the silt plants for the ships. It should be mentioned that these are the largest ships for which the Ukrainian company carried out such contracts. In addition to it, a brand new microprocessor control system that had been designed by Zorya-Mashproekt was implemented aboard the Mormugao ship.