INS IMPHAL (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Sci and Tech)

Context: INS Imphal will be commissioned into the Indian Navy on Tuesday in a boost to its maritime capability amid China’s increasing forays into the Indian Ocean region.

INS Imphal

• About: INS Imphal stands as the third vessel in the Visakhapatnam-class of stealth-guided missile destroyers.
• Displacement: 7,400 tonnes and overall length of 164m
• Speed Capability: Capable of reaching speeds surpassing 30 knots (approximately 55 kmph), INS Imphal is designed for swift and agile maneuvering.
• Versatile Platform: As a formidable platform, the ship is equipped to undertake various tasks and missions, covering the entire spectrum of maritime warfare.
• High Indigenous Content: With a commendable indigenous content of about 75%, INS Imphal features advanced weaponry, including Medium Range Surface-to-Air missiles, BrahMos surface-to-surface missiles, and Indigenous Torpedo Tube Launchers, among others.
• Crest Design:The crest design of INS Imphal includes the Kangla Palace and ‘Kangla-Sa,’ offering symbolic representations of Manipur's historical and mythological significance.
• Naming Significance: INS Imphal holds the distinction of being the first capital warship named after a city in the northeast—Imphal, the capital of Manipur.