MUMBAI — Stealth guided missile destroyer Mormugao, the second of the four Visakhapatnam class destroyers, was commissioned into the Indian Navy on Sunday.

Speaking at the commissioning ceremony in Mumbai, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh said INS Mormugao is evidence of India’s excellence in warship design and development.

The aim is to make India the indigenous ship building hub, the minister said. Singh described INS Mormugao as one of the most powerful indigenously-built warships which will significantly enhance the country’s maritime capabilities and secure national interests.

“INS Mormugao is one of the world’s most technologically-advanced missile carriers. With over 75 percent indigenous content, it is a testimony to India’s excellence in design and development of warships and a shining example of our growing indigenous defense production capabilities.

“The warship will meet the present and future needs of our country as well as of our friendly countries across the globe,” he said.

Singh commended the Navy and Mazagoan Docks Ltd. for the commissioning of INS Mormugao, describing it as the result of the hard work, dedication and aspirations of the engineers, technicians, designers and scientists. “It is a matter of great pride for India,” he added.

Safeguarding India’s interests in the Indian Ocean Region is the Navy’s prime responsibility, Singh said.

“Our growing economy is directly connected to the increasing trade, most of which is through sea routes. Our interest is directly linked to the Indian Ocean.

“Being an important country in this region, the role of Indian Navy becomes more important in its security. It is heartening to see that they are discharging their duties successfully,” he said.

Singh lauded the armed forces for protecting the borders and coasts with unmatched courage and dedication, terming them as the backbone of India’s unprecedented growth.

He reiterated the government’s resolve to prepare the nation to deal with any situation arising due to the rapidly changing global scenario, adding it is the government’s top priority to continue strengthening the security infrastructure by providing the military state-of-the-art indigenous weapons and equipment.

Speaking on the occasion, Chief of the Naval Staff Adm. R. Hari Kumar said the commissioning of INS Mormugao is indicative of the large strides India has taken in warship design and building capability over the last decade.

He said the warship is a true illustration of ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ and ‘Make in India’ initiative and reinforces the Navy’s commitment to supporting India’s transformation into a global ship-building hub.

The warship, with her multi-dimensional combat capability, will form part of the Western Fleet, the sword arm of the Indian Navy, he said.

INS Mormugao is the second of the four ‘Visakhapatnam’ class destroyers of ‘Project 15B’, indigenously designed by the Indian Navy’s in-house organization, Warship Design Bureau and constructed by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited, Mumbai.

Named after the historic port city of Goa, Mormugao coincidentally undertook first sea trial on Dec. 19, 2021, when Goa celebrated 60 years of liberation from the Portuguese rule.

INS Mormugao is 163 meters long and 17 meters wide. It has a displacement of 7,400 tons and a maximum speed of 30 knots (55 kmph).

The warship is packed with sophisticated state of the art weapons and sensors such as surface to surface missile and surface to air missiles. It is fitted with a modern surveillance radar which provides target data to the gunnery weapon systems on board.

The four ships of the Project are named after major cities: Visakhapatnam, Mormugao, Imphal and Surat. The ship is constructed using indigenous steel DMR 249 A and will rank among one of the largest destroyers built in India. — Agencies