Hello defence lovers and enthusiast! In this article, we are going to discuss the top 5 upcoming vessels of the Indian navy. Some of them are under sea trails, some under construction and some under planning phase.
Vishakapatnam Class Destroyer
Under the Project 15 bravo, Indian navy is going to procure four modern destroyers. These destroyers are successors of Kolkata Class destroyers incorporating some improvements and updates.
The lead ship of this class INS Vishakapatnam is currently is undergoing sea trials and is expected to enter service by the end of the year 2021. Remaining 3 are under construction.
Vishakhapatnam class destroyers are armed with deadly Brahmos missiles, Barak 8 sams, a BAE mark 45 Main gun, RBU 6000 anti-submarine rocket launchers and 6 torpedo tubes. These will also be equipped with Israeli MF star AESA radar and various other sensors. This will make the destroyer a very lethal platform.
Nilgiri Class Frigates
Under Project 17 Alpha, 7 frigates are going to be procured by the Indian Navy. These frigates are going to be the most advance and deadliest frigates of the Indian Navy. Nilgiri class is the successor of Shivalik class and will be as capable as the Kolkata class destroyers.
Mazagon Dock and GRSE are going to construct seven frigates in total, building three and four frigates respectively. The lead ship of the class INS Nilgiri is expected to be commissioned in 2022. The total project will cost around $ 7 billion and each ship would cost around $ 561 million.
These frigates will be armed with 8 Brahmos in vertical lunch system cells making them one of the deadliest frigates in the world. These will also be equipped with MF Star AESA Radar which is equivalent to the Aegis combat system onboard the Arleigh Burke class destroyers of US Navy.
INS Vikrant
INS Vikrant or IAC 1 is the first indigenous aircraft carrier of Indian Navy. Once commissioned it would be the flagship of the Indian Navy. It is currently undergoing basin trials and is expected to enter service by the end of 2021.
Vikrant is named after the legendary aircraft carrier (R11) of Indian Navy, which played a decisive role in the 1971 Bangladesh liberation war. It is one of the most awaited upcoming vessels of the Indian Navy. Once commissioned it would increase the capabilities of the Indian Navy by many folds.
S5 SSBN
S5 class is the code name of the successor of Arihant class submarine. It is one of the most ambitious and secretive projects. Thus very little information on this project is available on the public domain.
What we know so far is that a submarine of this class is going to displace 13500 tons and would carry up to 16 MIRV capable K6 SLBMs. Everything else about this project is classified. It is one of the most important upcoming vessels of the Indian navy as it would enhance second-strike capabilities and thus strengthen the nuclear deterrence.
P75 Alpha
Under Project 75 Alpha Indian Navy is going to procure 6 nuclear-powered submarines (SSN). The project was approved by the government in 2015 and the submarines are being designed by Navy’s in house design team. Each submarine would displace roughly 6000 ton and wold be will be powered by a miniature pressurised water reactor (PWR) being developed by the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre which has already supplied a similar 83 MW miniature reactor for the Arihant-class submarine SSBNs. The total programme would cost around $14 billion. Like another nuclear submarine programme, this one is also highly classified. The first submarine is estimated to enter service in 2030.
So these were the top 5 upcomming vessels of the Indian Navy which which significantly boost Indian Navy’s power and maritime capabilities.
