According to people with knowledge of the situation, the Indian Navy received Imphal, its newest stealth destroyer, on Friday. Imphal is the first vessel with separate quarters for female personnel.
After being put into service, Imphal, which was built in Mumbai by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL), would get the prefix “INS.” It’s the third of four warships authorised under the P-15B project, a significant initiative designed to strengthen the navy’s capabilities in the Indian Ocean region. Both INS Mormugao and INS Visakhapatnam are now operational. The fourth, Surat, is currently being built.
“Designed by the navy’s Warship Design Bureau and built by MDL, this ship (Imphal) is among the most technologically advanced warships in the world,” the navy mentioned in a statement.
It stated that the destroyer’s entry into service will strengthen India’s naval power in the Indian Ocean area.
The medium range surface-to-air missiles, BrahMos missiles, torpedo tube launchers, anti-submarine rocket launchers, and 76mm super fast gun mount are among the ship’s approximately 75% indigenous weapons. The destroyer is 164 metres long, 7,400 tonnes in displacement, and can reach a peak speed of more than 30 knots. It has room for 312 crew members.
According to the statement, the ship set out for its first sea trials in April 2023 and has since undertaken a thorough programme of trials both at sea and in dock, culminating in its delivery in a record-breaking six months. “The time taken to build Imphal and for her trials is the shortest for any indigenous destroyer. The delivery of Imphal is an affirmation of the impetus being given by the government and the navy to the self-reliance campaign.”
Women were allowed to join the navy’s personnel below officer rank (PBOR) cadre earlier this year, which made separate berthing places for them necessary.
According to Commander Prasanna Edayilliam (retd), a female officer who spent 14 years in the navy, the navy has led the way in providing equal chances for women. “Separate berthing facilities for women sailors in new warships will give them a springboard to launch their careers in a challenging environment. It will also allow the navy to deploy more women on warships,” Edayilliam further added.
This means that almost 65,000 sailors will receive new ranks.
The navy’s PBOR cadre will have seven positions renamed, including three already in use but not gender neutral designations. Master Chief Petty Officer Ist Class, Master Chief Petty Officer IInd Class, Chief Petty Officer, Petty Officer, Leading Seaman, Seaman Ist Class, and Seaman IInd Class are the positions that will be adjusted to conform to Indian customs.
