The Project-18 destroyer (P-18) or Next Generation Destroyers (NGD) are a class of planned stealth guided-missile destroyers to be built for the Indian Navy (IN). The class will be a follow-on for Visakhapatnam-class destroyer which is in service. The class is a part of Next Generation series of future frontline surface combatants of the Indian Navy which includes Project 17B-class frigate or Next Generation Frigates (NGF) and Next Generation Corvettes (NGC).[2][3]
 A concept representation of Project-18 class destroyer
| |
| Class overview | |
|---|---|
| Name | Project-18 class |
| Operators |  Indian Navy |
| Preceded by | Visakhapatnam class |
| Planned | 8-10 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | Stealth guided-missile destroyer |
| Displacement | 10,000–13,000 tonnes (9,800–12,800 long tons; 11,000–14,000 short tons) |
| Length | 180 m (590 ft 7 in) |
| Beam | 25 m (82 ft 0 in) |
| Draft | 8.5 m (27 ft 11 in) |
| Propulsion | COGAG or IEP |
| Speed | 32 kn (59 km/h) |
| Range | 6,000 nmi (11,000 km; 6,900 mi) at 18 knots (33 km/h; 21 mph) |
| Endurance | 60 days |
| Crew | 300+ |
| Sensors and processing systems | |
| Electronic warfare & decoys |
|
| Armament |
|
| Aircraft carried | 2 × HAL Dhruv (or) Sea King Mk. 42B (or) MH-60R |
| Aviation facilities | Hangar for helicopters |
History
editBackground
editIn December 2023, the Vice Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Sanjay Jasjit Singh revealed that a class of advanced Next Generation Destroyers (NGD) or Project 18 destroyers is being designed by the Warship Design Bureau (WDB). As of then, the design and contract signing for construction was expected to be completed by 5 years. The delivery was to be completed within 5-10 years of contract signing. The ships will have a displacement of 10,000 tonnes (9,800 long tons; 11,000 short tons). The leading contenders for the deal were Mazagon Dockyard Limited (MDL) and Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE).[4][5][6] The project, worth over $10 billion, includes a total of 8-10 ships are to be built in two phases. MDL has also floated a tender to construct a floating dry dock near Nhava Sheva port for ₹3,000 crore (equivalent to ₹32 billion or US$380 million in 2023) in 2022. This will assist them for the construction of these warships. Reports also suggested that the ships will feature an indigenous S-band primary fire control radar developed by DRDO. This will replace EL/M-2248 MF-STAR radars used on previous ships. They will also feature advanced indigenous weapon systems and an Integrated electric propulsion (IEP).[7][8]
As of September 2024, the Indian Navy has submitted documents which are to be approved by the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) – the main acquisition panel under the Ministry of Defence (MoD) headed by the Minister of Defence.[9]
Design
editArmament
editThe ship will be equipped with 144 VLS cells and 8 slant launchers. The 144 cells will be in a configuration of three 6×4 VLS cells which will be compatible for launching surface-to-air missiles and anti-ballistic missiles as well as surface-to-surface missiles and anti-ship missiles including Barak 8, Project Kusha system, BrahMos, BrahMos 2 hypersonic cruise missile, SMART and LR-LACM.This weapons will be equipped in Universal Vertical Launch System (UVLS), which is developed for Indian Naval Ships.[7][8][1][9]
See also
editOther references to the Indian Navy
editOther destroyers of comparable configurations and capabilities
edit- Ticonderoga-class cruiser – a class of guided-missile cruisers being currently operated by the United States Navy.
- DDG(X) – a class of guided-missile destroyers being currently under development by the United States Navy.
- Type 055 destroyer – is a class of stealth guided-missile destroyers (guided-missile cruisers per NATO/OSD standard) being constructed for the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy.
- Sejong the Great-class destroyer – a class of guided-missile destroyers operated by the Republic of Korea Navy.
References
edit- ^ a b "Indian Navy announced its 10,000-ton Next-Generation Destroyer (NGD) project to replace the Project-15B". Defence.in. 3 December 2023. Retrieved 8 September 2024.
- ^ Menon, Adithya Krishna (29 August 2024). "India's First P17A Nilgiri-class Frigate Starts Sea Trials". Naval News. Retrieved 3 September 2024.
- ^ Menon, Adithya Krishna (13 August 2023). "India Proceeds with New Submarines, Surface Ships Development". Naval News. Retrieved 3 September 2024.
- ^ Deshpande, Smruti (2 December 2023). "Next-gen destroyers on drawing board, Twin Engine Deck Based Fighters expected by 2032, says Navy". ThePrint. Retrieved 8 September 2024.
- ^ Ray, Kalyan. "India to become 175-warship Navy with bigger destroyers in the next decade, says Chief". Deccan Herald. Retrieved 8 September 2024.
- ^ "Indian Navy Expanding to Meet China Threat, Better Team With Allies". USNI News. 20 July 2022. Retrieved 8 September 2024.
- ^ a b "Indian Navy to get 8 Next-Generation Destroyer (NGD)". 15 August 2023. Retrieved 8 September 2024.
- ^ a b Menon, Adithya Krishna (13 August 2023). "India Proceeds with New Submarines, Surface Ships Development". Naval News. Retrieved 8 September 2024.
- ^ a b "Indian Navy Eyes Next-Gen Project 18 Destroyers with Anti-Ballistic Missile Systems and Drone Launch Capabilities". Defence.in. 6 September 2024. Retrieved 8 September 2024.