Date: January 21, 2025
The Indian Navy commissioned INS Imphal, its third stealth guided missile destroyer under Project 15B Visakhapatnam class, on January 21, 2025. Built by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders, INS Imphal enhances India’s maritime strike capability with advanced BrahMos missiles, Barak-8 air defence systems, and indigenous sensors. The ship can carry two multi-role helicopters and has improved stealth features for survivability. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, at the commissioning ceremony, said INS Imphal reflects India’s self-reliance in shipbuilding and will boost the Navy’s operational readiness in the Indo-Pacific.