The INS Mormugao and its capabilities

Contact Counsellor

Last Updated23/12/2022

In a boost to the country’s maritime capabilities, INS Mormugao has officially joined the Indian Navy’s fleet, marking a significant milestone for indigenous military expedition.
The warship ‘Yard 12705’, named after the Goan port city of Mormugao, is the second of the four Visakhapatnam-class destroyers being built under the Indian Navy Project 15B, or P15B.

Project 15/ Delhi class: launched in the 1990s to add guided missile destroyers to the inventory of the Indian Navy.
Project 15A/ Kolkata class: successor of Project 15 which focused on advanced technology and equipment in surface ships.

Follow-on class of weapon-intensive Project 15A destroyers: Launched in January 2011
Goal: to incorporate advanced design concepts - state-of-the-art weapons and sensors, advanced stealth features and a high degree of automation for “improved survivability, sea keeping, stealth and maneuverability”.
Lead ship of Project 15B: INS Visakhapatnam - first to be commissioned.

One of the most potent warships: to have been constructed in the country
Dimensions: 163 meters long, 17 meters wide
Displacement: 7,400 tonnes when fully loaded
Propulsion of the warship: by 4 gas turbines in a combined gas & gas (COGAG) configuration.
Maximum speed: > 30 knots (50km/h)
Maximum range: 4,000 nautical miles.
Crew capacity: ~ 300 personnel.
Firepower: comprises
BrahMos surface-to-surface missiles (SSM)
Barak-8 surface-to-air (SAM) missiles for a long range of shore and sea-based targets
76mm super rapid gun mount
RBU-6000 anti-submarine rocket launchers
533mm torpedo launchers
Other specifications: can carry and operate multi-role helicopters & has enhanced stealth features for a reduced radar signature.

Gigabyte Ethernet-based Ship Data Network (GESDN)
Combat Management System (CMS)
For threat evaluation and resource allocation based on the tactical picture compiled and ammunition available onboard
Automatic Power Management System (APMS)
Controls power management
Integrated Platform Management System (IPMS)
To control and monitor machinery and auxiliaries
Ship Data Network (SDN)
‘Information highway for data’ from sensors and weapons.

Countering China in the IOR: as China has been rapidly expanding its naval footprint in the region.
Bolstering India’s maritime capabilities: in the Indian Ocean Region.
Ensuring rule-based freedom of navigation: and the security of sea lanes etc.
Adds to the combat capabilities: strengthening the armed forces.