India plans to build state-of-the-art stealth destroyers at a cost of ₹80,000 crore

According to a report by The Hindu, taking into consideration the growing maritime security challenges in the Indian Ocean Region, the Government of India has given a major boost to the Indian Navy's next-generation destroyer program. In response to both China and Pakistan strengthening their underwater warfare capabilities, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, has granted conceptual approval for these future warships under Project 18A.

A senior Ministry of Defence official confirmed and stated that the estimated cost of this proposed program is approximately ₹80,000 crore. The objective of this plan is to develop a new generation of stealth-guided missile destroyers equipped with advanced weapons, sensors, and technologies. Considering the scope and complexity of this program, the delivery of the ships is expected to commence only five to ten years after the signing of the contract.

These warships are expected to have approximately 75% indigenous content, with both Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs) and private sector companies eligible to participate in a competitive bidding process, the official added. China is continuously expanding its naval presence in the Indian Ocean Region and is also increasing its submarine fleet. On the other hand, Pakistan is also strengthening its underwater warfare capabilities by inducting advanced submarines, which makes this program extremely important.

The evolving security situation has emphasized the need for India to strengthen its surface combatant fleet and maintain a credible maritime deterrent in the Indian Ocean Region. With several of the Indian Navy's existing destroyers scheduled to retire from service in the coming years, the induction of advanced frontline surface combatants has become essential to maintain the operational strength of the fleet, the official stated.

To be designed by the Navy's Warship Design Bureau, these future destroyers are expected to feature significantly more advanced systems than the Visakhapatnam-class destroyers. These warships will have enhanced firepower, state-of-the-art surveillance sensors, improved air defense systems, and advanced anti-submarine warfare capabilities, which will provide the Navy with greater operational flexibility against emerging maritime threats.

At present, the Indian Navy operates around 12 or 13 relatively new guided-missile destroyers, which form the backbone of its surface combatant fleet and provide capabilities in air defense, anti-surface warfare, and anti-submarine operations. These include the Visakhapatnam-class, Kolkata-class, and Delhi-class destroyers. The existing warships are equipped with a range of advanced weapon systems including BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles, surface-to-air missiles, naval guns, close-in weapon systems, and anti-submarine warfare equipment.

The next-generation destroyers are expected to significantly boost India's firepower, surveillance, and multi-domain warfare capabilities. Their advanced sensors and anti-submarine warfare systems will be particularly crucial as the Navy prepares to counter increasingly sophisticated underwater threats and protect India's maritime interests in the region.