Big boost to Indian Navy, Rajnath Singh commissions warship 'Mormugao'

Mormugao's commissioning now on 18 Dec 2022 on the eve of the Goa Liberation Day will further augment the Indian Navy's mobility.

New Delhi, Dec 18: In big boost to India's maritime power, Mormugao, a P15B stealth guided missile destroyer WAS commissioned into the Indian Navy on Sunday.

INS Mormugao IS the second of the four 'Visakhapatnam' class destroyers, indigenously designed by the Indian Navy's in-house organisation, Warship Design Bureau and constructed by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited, Mumbai.

Speaking at the commissioning ceremony in Mumbai, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said INS Mormugao is evidence of India's excellence in warship design and development.

"INS Mormugao is one of the most powerful warships made in India, it will make a remarkable growth in Indian Maritime capabilities. INS Mormugao is one of the world's most technologically advanced missile carriers," he said.

"The systems in INS Mormugao will be able to satisfy not just present but also future needs. It is also an example of our indigenous defence production capability. In future, we will do shipbuilding for the world," the defence minister said.

Named after the historic port city of Goa on the West coast, Mormugao coincidentally undertook her first sea sortie on 19 Dec 21, when Goa celebrated 60 years of liberation from the Portuguese rule.

Her commissioning now on 18 Dec 22 on the eve of the Goa Liberation Day will further augment the Indian Navy's mobility, reach and flexibility towards accomplishment of its role and tasks in the Indian Ocean and beyond.

The majestic ship measures 163m in length, 17 m in breadth with a displacement of 7400 tonnes and can rightfully be regarded as one of the most potent warships to have been constructed in India. The ship is propelled by four powerful Gas Turbines, in a Combined Gas and Gas (COGAG) configuration, capable of achieving speeds in excess of 30 knots. The ship has enhanced stealth features resulting in a reduced Radar Cross Section (RCS).

"Mormugao is packed with sophisticated 'state of the art' weapons and sensors such as Surface to Surface Missile and Surface to Air Missiles. The ship is fitted with a modern Surveillance Radar which provides target data to the gunnery weapon systems of the ship. The ship's Anti-Submarine Warfare capabilities are provided by the indigenously developed Rocket Launchers, Torpedo Launchers and the ASW helicopters. The ship is equipped to fight under Nuclear, Biological and Chemical (NBC) warfare conditions," the defence ministry said.

According to the statement, a unique feature of this ship is the high level of indigenisation of approximately 75% incorporated in the production, accentuating our national objective of 'AatmaNirbhar Bharat'. "Some of the major indigenised equipment / system onboard Mormugao include Surface to Surface and Surface to Air Missiles, Torpedo Tubes and Launchers, Anti-Submarine Rocket Launchers, Super Rapid Gun Mount besides, Combat Management System, Integrated Platform Management System, Automated Power Management System, Foldable Hangar Doors, Helo Traversing system, Close-in Weapon System and Bow mounted SONAR. Major OEMs as well as small MSMEs such as BEL, L&T, Godrej, Marine Electrical Brahmos, Technico, Kineco, Jeet & Jeet, Sushma Marine, Techno Process, etc. have all contributed in making of the mighty Mormugao," it read.

With a clear focus on indigenisation and self-reliance 42 out of the 44 ships and submarines under construction are being built in Indian Shipyards, thus further enhancing our efforts towards 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat'. In addition, AoN has been accorded for 55 ships and submarines which will all be constructed in Indian Shipyards, the Defence Ministry said.