Navy to Launch ₹80,000-Cr. Warship Project, Pg10

Key Highlights:

• The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) has granted in-principle approval for the Indian Navy's next-generation destroyer program, Project 18A.
• This ambitious project is estimated to cost around ₹80,000 crore and aims to develop advanced stealth-guided missile destroyers.
• The new warships are expected to feature nearly 75% indigenous content, promoting self-reliance in defence manufacturing.
• Deliveries of these destroyers are anticipated to commence five to ten years after the contract is signed.
• The program addresses growing maritime security challenges from China and Pakistan, who are enhancing their naval capabilities in the Indian Ocean Region.

Detailed Insights:

• The futuristic destroyers will be designed by the Navy’s Warship Design Bureau and will be significantly larger and more capable than the existing Visakhapatnam-class destroyers, with a displacement exceeding 10,000 tons.
• They will incorporate enhanced firepower, sophisticated surveillance sensors, improved air defence systems, and advanced anti-submarine warfare capabilities.
• The current Indian Navy fleet includes 12-13 guided-missile destroyers such as the Visakhapatnam-class, Kolkata-class, and Delhi-class, equipped with systems like BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles.
• The new destroyers are crucial for maintaining the fleet's operational strength as several existing destroyers are due for decommissioning.
• This initiative aligns with India's broader push for indigenous defence production and reducing reliance on foreign imports.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Defence Acquisition Council (DAC): The highest decision-making body within India's Ministry of Defence, responsible for approving policies and capital acquisitions for the armed forces.
• Project 18A: The Indian Navy's program for developing next-generation stealth-guided missile destroyers, aimed at enhancing maritime capabilities.
• Warship Design Bureau: A premier organization under Naval Headquarters responsible for the indigenous design and development of warships for the Indian Navy.