Designed for the Indian Navy, Mormugao was built by the Mazgaon Shipyard which is also constructing six Scorpene class submarines for the Indian Navy. (Source: ANI News/Twitter) Designed for the Indian Navy, Mormugao was built by the Mazgaon Shipyard which is also constructing six Scorpene class submarines for the Indian Navy. (Source: ANI News/Twitter)

Indian Navy’s guided missile destroyer, Mormugao was launched in Mumbai on Saturday. Mormugao was built by the Mazgaon Shipyard which also plans to outsource work for 10 blocks to include private ship building yard in the programme. Mormugao is the second ship of Project 15B and will be one of the most advanced warships of the force. It has been named after the Mormugao port of Goa, also the home state of Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar.

Navy chief Admiral Sunil Lanba’s wife Reena launched the bedecked ship at a function at Mazagaon Docks at noon. The vessel is yet to undergo certain testings required by Indian Navy. In one year, the Indian Navy has inducted five ships into its fleet, including three warships. Vice Admiral G S Pabby told Press Trust of India that their target is to have 212 ships in its fleet by 2027.

#WATCH: The Second Ship of Project- 15B, Guided Missile Destroyer, Mormugao launched today in Mumbai. pic.twitter.com/dKKwdEJjRL — ANI (@ANI_news) September 17, 2016

GS Pabby said this was the first time the naval forces have built so many ships of a class, – 10 ships of 15, A and B class – and the process has helped in indigenisation. According to reports, the Indian Navy plans to indigenise the project up to 68 per cent.

In Pics: Mormugao, Indian Navy’s advanced warship launched with much fanfare

The Navy has also planned to launch the first indigenous aircraft carrier (IAC) in 2018 while adding that the government was “seriously considering” IAC 2, which is in its planning stage.

(Source: Express Photo) (Source: Express Photo)

Mormugao has a displacement of 7,300 tonne with maximum speed of over 30 knots. It is equipped with surface-to-surface missiles, surface-to-air missiles and anti-submarine rocket launchers. The warship can carry two anti-submarine warfare helicopters. Admiral Lanba said that this ship serves “the Make in India drive of the country as it is indigenously built.”

In 2011, the government had sanctioned four 15B ships at the cost of Rs 29,700 crores. The first ship of the project, guided-missile destroyer ‘Visakhapatnam’, was launched on April 20 last year. During launching ceremony the hull of the ship which is constructed on dry area is floated on water for the first time. It is a milestone event for any vessel.

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