Indian Navy acquires Imphal 3rd stealth guided missile destroyer.

On October 20, 2023, Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) transferred the Imphal (Yard 12706) to the Indian Navy, making it the third vessel in the advanced series of 158 Class stealth guided missile destroyers.
Follow Navy Recognition on Google News at this link

INS Imphal is the third ship of the Visakhapatnam-class stealth-guided missile destroyer of the Indian Navy (Picture source: Indian Government )

The formal acceptance documentation was approved by MDL's Chairman and Managing Director, Sanjeev Singhal, Rear Admiral Sanjay Sadhu, CSO (Tech), as well as the ship's designated commanding officer, Captain K K Choudhury. This new addition follows the commissioning of INS Visakhapatnam on November 21, 2021, and INS Mormugao on December 18, 2022. The fourth vessel in the series, Surat, is currently nearing completion.

Imphal is one of India's largest destroyers, with an overall length of 164 meters and a displacement exceeding 7,500 tons. As a versatile naval asset, the ship is equipped to handle a broad range of maritime combat missions. Its armaments include supersonic Brahmos surface-to-surface missiles and medium-range Barak 8 surface-to-air missiles. Additionally, the vessel is fitted with indigenously developed anti-submarine equipment, including the hull-mounted sonar Humsa NC, heavyweight torpedo launchers, and ASW rocket launchers.

According to MDL officials, Imphal surpasses previous classes of destroyers and frigates in versatility. Its comprehensive capabilities against enemy submarines, surface ships, anti-ship missiles, and aircraft allow it to operate autonomously or serve as the flagship of a naval task force.

With the capacity to accommodate 312 persons, Imphal has an endurance of 4,000 nautical miles and can sustain a 42-day mission, extendable for longer operations. The ship also carries two helicopters on board to extend its operational reach. It is powered by a Combined Gas and Gas Propulsion Plant (CDGAC), which includes four reversible gas turbines, allowing speeds greater than 20 knots (approximately 55 km/h).

A notable feature of Imphal is that it is the first Indian warship to have dedicated living facilities for female officers and sailors. This marks a significant milestone in the progress toward greater integration of women into the country's armed forces.

Imphal is at the forefront of Indian naval technology with high levels of automation, featuring advanced digital networks such as the Gigabyte Ethernet-based Ship Data Network (GESON), Combat Management System (CMS), Automatic Power Management System (APMS), and Integrated Platform Management System (IPMS).