Project 18: India developing next-gen destroyer that can carry 144 missiles, including BrahMos, and track enemies 500 km away
The Indian Navy's Warship Design Bureau has introduced the P-18 next-generation destroyer concept, a significantly larger and more capable vessel than the Visakhapatnam-class destroyers. Displacing 13,000 tonnes, it features 144 vertical launch systems for diverse missiles, advanced radar systems for multi-domain operations, and a focus on indigenous content, enhancing India's naval power.
AI generated image of the project -18 destroyer. The Indian Navy is reportedly working on the Project 18 (P-18) next-generation destroyer, which is expected to significantly surpass the size and capabilities of the existing Visakhapatnam-class destroyers. With an estimated displacement of approximately 13,000 tonnes, the new vessel would be the largest in the Indian fleet and may be classified as a cruiser under international conventions, which apply to warships exceeding 10,000 tonnes. Speaking in December 2023, Vice Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Sanjay Jasjit Singh, stated, 'The Indian Navy has started work on building the next generation of more advanced and capable destroyers, and plans for these vessels are already on the drawing board.' The Visakhapatnam-class destroyers, currently the Navy's largest, displace around 7,450 tonnes and are fitted with 48 vertical launch systems (VLS). In comparison, the P-18 under development includes 144 VLS cells that will support a range of missiles for various mission roles.
The warship features four large active electronically scanned array (AESA) radars integrated into the superstructure. These are believed to be long-range multifunction radars developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). The radar suite includes an S-band active array as the primary radar, a volume search radar, and a multi-sensor mast, providing 360-degree surveillance and tracking of aerial and surface threats. The systems, jointly developed by DRDO and Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), reportedly have a range exceeding 500 km. — nikhilhatesyou (@nikhilhatesyou)
The destroyer will carry a combination of missile systems across its 144 VLS cells:
32 cells at the stern are dedicated to the under-development PGLRSAM, a long-range surface-to-air missile with a range of 250 km, intended to intercept enemy aircraft and ballistic missile threats.
48 cells will house the BrahMos extended-range supersonic cruise missile and the Indigenous Technology Cruise Missile, both intended for anti-ship and land-attack missions.
64 cells are allocated for very short-range surface-to-air missiles, acting as the final defensive layer against aerial and anti-ship missile threats. At a press conference held ahead of Navy Day on 4 December 2023, Vice Admiral Singh stated, 'The broad timeframe is about five years from now. By then, we should be in a position to target the contract, and within five to 10 years, entire delivery.' The event was also attended by Navy Chief, Admiral R. Hari Kumar. The vessel is expected to feature a 75% of indigenous content under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative. It will be capable of operating two multi-role helicopters, launching autonomous underwater drones, and carrying out anti-submarine warfare operations.
As part of its long-term force development strategy, the Indian Navy is targeting a fleet size of 170 to 175 warships by 2035. The induction of the Project 18 destroyers is expected to contribute to this expansion, enhancing the Navy's capability in both defensive and offensive maritime operations.(Disclaimer: This article is based on social media post for informational purposes. ET.com has not independently verified the claims made in the post and does not vouch for their accuracy. The views expressed are those of the individual and do not necessarily reflect the views of ET.com. Reader discretion is advised.)
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