INS Visakhapatnam commissioned into the Indian Navy at Mumbai

INS Visakhapatnam, first of four P15B stealth guided missile destroyers, was commissioned into the Indian Navy on Sunday morning, at Naval Dockyard Mumbai. The ship was commissioned by Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. The ship has been designed by the Indian Macy’s Directorate of Naval Design and constructed by Mazagon Dock Limited, Mumbai. 

Speaking at the ceremony, the Defence Minister expressed happiness over the way the ship has turned out and called it a symbol of India’s growing maritime prowess. “I feel proud to share that nearly 75 percent of this ship’s content and 100 percent of its design are indigenous. It just goes to show India’s defence manufacturing capabilities. We should all be proud that 38 of the 41 ships and submarines ordered by the Indian Navy are from the Indian shipyards.” 

In the ceremony, INS Visakhapatnam was commissioned and the ship’s motto and logo were revealed. The logo of the ship is the bust of a Blackbuck, going by its name, contains the words “Vigilant, Valiant, Victorious”. The motto of the ship is “Yasho Labhasva” which means “Attain Glory”.

Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Karambir Singh, Member of Parliament Shri Arvind Sawant, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command Vice Admiral R Hari Kumar, Chairman & Managing Director, Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited Vice Admiral Narayan Prasad (Retd) and other senior civil & military officials of Ministry of Defence were present during the commissioning ceremony of INS Visakhapatnam.

INS Visakhapatnam has been constructed using indigenous steel DMR 249A and is amongst the largest destroyers constructed in India, with an overall length of 163 meters and a displacement of over 7400 tons. The ship has a significant indigenous content of approx 75 percent, contributing towards Atmanirbhar Bharat. The ship is a potent vessel, capable of undertaking multifarious tasks and missions spanning the full spectrum of maritime warfare. 

INS Visakhapatnam is equipped with an array of weapons & sensors, which include supersonic surface-to-surface and surface-to-air missiles, medium and short-range guns, anti-submarine rockets and advanced electronic warfare and communication suits. The ship is propelled by a powerful combined gas and gas propulsion which enables a speed of over 30 knots. The ship has the capability of embarking two integrated helicopters to further extend its reach. The ship boasts of a very high level of automation, with sophisticated digital networks, a Combat Management System and an Integrated Platform Management System.

Named after the historic city of Andhra Pradesh on the east coast, Visakhapatnam, the ‘City of Destiny’, the ship has a total complement of about 315 personnel. Enhanced crew comfort is a significant feature of INS Visakhapatnam, which has been ensured through ergonomically designed accommodation based on ‘modular’ concepts. The ship will be under the command of Captain Birendra Singh Bains, a Navigation & Direction specialist.

Honouring the commissioning of INS Visakhapatnam, Yo! Vizag is running a nautical series, consisting of articles on the history of the Indian Navy and Vizag.