Correct Answer : Rajnath Singh
The crest of Yard 12706 (Imphal), Indian Navy’s third stealth guided missile destroyer, was unveiled by Defence Minister "Rajnath Singh" in a momentous ceremony held in New Delhi on Tuesday (28th Nov 2023).
The occasion was graced by the presence of Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh, marking a historic moment in the country’s naval history.
INS Imphal – A Symbol of Indigenous Excellence :
Designed by the Indian Navy’s Warship Design Bureau (WDB) and built by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL), Mumbai, INS Imphal stands as a testament to indigenous shipbuilding prowess. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh expressed his delight, emphasizing that the warship is amongst the most technologically advanced in the world.
The Emblem and its Significance :
The crest design of INS Imphal features the iconic Kangla Palace on the left and ‘Kangla-Sa’ on the right. The Kangla Palace, an archaeological treasure, served as the traditional seat of Manipur’s past kingdom. ‘Kangla-Sa,’ with its dragon’s head and lion’s body, is a mythical creature symbolizing the guardian and protector of the Manipuri people. The inclusion of these elements pays homage to Manipur’s rich military history and identity.
Construction and Maiden Trials :
Imphal’s keel was laid on May 19, 2017, and the ship was launched on April 20, 2019. Following this, the ship embarked on its maiden sea trials on April 28, 2023. Notably, INS Imphal has undergone an extensive schedule of trials in harbor and at sea, leading to its delivery to the Indian Navy on October 20, 2023 – an impressive achievement within a record time-frame of six months.
Potent and Versatile – Features of INS Imphal :
With a displacement of 7,400 tonnes and an overall length of 164 meters, INS Imphal is a potent and versatile platform equipped with state-of-the-art weapons and sensors. These include surface-to-air missiles, anti-ship missiles, and torpedoes. The ship is powered by Combined Gas and Gas (COGAG) propulsion, capable of achieving speeds in excess of 30 knots (56 km/hour).
Indigenous Technological Advancements :
INS Imphal proudly boasts a high indigenous content of approximately 75%, featuring medium-range surface-to-air missiles, BrahMos surface-to-surface missiles, indigenous torpedo tube launchers, anti-submarine indigenous rocket launchers, and a 76mm super rapid gun mount. The ship recently conducted a successful firing of an extended-range BrahMos missile as part of its pre-commissioning trials.
Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Naval Tradition :
The delivery of INS Imphal within a remarkably short time is seen as an affirmation of India’s commitment to ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat‘ (self-reliant India). Following a maritime tradition and naval custom, many Indian naval ships are named after prominent cities, mountain ranges, rivers, ponds, and islands. INS Imphal, named after the historic city of Imphal, is the first capital warship to be named after a city in the northeastern region, with the President’s approval granted on April 16, 2019.
