'Mormugao,' a P15B stealth guided missile destroyer, is scheduled to be commissioned into the Indian Navy in the presence of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday, in order to further enhance the Indian Navy's mobility, reach, and flexibility in carrying out its role and tasks in the Indian Ocean and beyond, news agency ANI reported.


On December 18, the ship will be commissioned at the Naval Dockyard in Mumbai.


The occasion commemorates the ceremonial admission into the Navy of the second of four 'Visakhapatnam' class destroyers, which were developed in-house by the Indian Navy's Warship Design Bureau and built by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited in Mumbai.


Mormugao, named after the ancient port city of Goa on India's west coast, made her first sea voyage on December 19, 21, the day Goa commemorated 60 years of independence from Portuguese dominion.


The gorgeous ship, which spans 163 metres in length and 17 metres in width and has a displacement of 7400 tonnes, is deservedly recognised as one of the most powerful warships ever built in India. The ship is driven by four strong Gas Turbines in a Combined Gas and Gas (COGAG) arrangement, capable of exceeding 30 knots. The ship's stealth characteristics have been improved, resulting in a lower Radar Cross Section (RCS).


"Mormugao is packed with sophisticated 'state of the art' weapons and sensors such as Surface to Surface Missile and Surface to Air Missiles. The ship is fitted with a modern Surveillance Radar which provides target data to the gunnery weapon systems of the ship. The ship's Anti-Submarine Warfare capabilities are provided by the indigenously developed Rocket Launchers, Torpedo Launchers and the ASW helicopters. The ship is equipped to fight under Nuclear, Biological and Chemical (NBC) warfare conditions," read an official statement by the Ministry of Defence.


According to authorities, a distinguishing characteristic of this ship is the high degree of indigenisation of roughly 75% included in the manufacture, emphasising our national goal of 'AatmaNirbhar Bharat'.


"Some of the major indigenised equipment / system onboard Mormugao include Surface to Surface and Surface to Air Missiles, Torpedo Tubes and Launchers, Anti-Submarine Rocket Launchers, Super Rapid Gun Mount besides, Combat Management System, Integrated Platform Management System, Automated Power Management System, Foldable Hangar Doors, Helo Traversing system, Close-in Weapon System and Bow mounted SONAR. Major OEMs as well as small MSMEs such as BEL, L&T, Godrej, Marine Electrical Brahmos, Technico, Kineco, Jeet and Jeet, Sushma Marine, Techno Process, etc. have all contributed in making of the mighty Mormugao," the statement further reads.


"With a clear focus on indigenisation and self-reliance, 42 out of the 44 ships and submarines under construction are being built in Indian Shipyards. In addition, AoN has been accorded for 55 ships and submarines which will all be constructed in Indian Shipyards," the statement noted.


(With ANI Inputs)