INS Visakhapatnam

Why is in news? Indian Navy successfully tests Medium Range Surface-to-Air Missile from INS Visakhapatnam

Indian Navy has successfully undertaken Medium Range Surface to Air Missile (MRSAM) firing from INS Visakhapatnam validating capability to engage Anti-Ship Missiles.

Medium Range Surface to Air Missile:

Medium Range Surface to Air Missile is a high response, quick reaction, vertically launched supersonic missile, designed to neutralize enemy aerial threats – missiles, aircraft, guided bombs, helicopters.

It is used by Army, Navy and Air Force as different variants.

The MRSAM was jointly developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Israeli Aerospace Industries at Bharat Dynamics Limited.

Range:70 km

Guidance:Dual (Command & Active Radar Seeker (RF))

Flight time:230 sec

Weight:275 kg

Launcher:Ship/ Vehicle (Vertical) Launch

INS Visakhapatnam:

INS Visakhapatnam, the indigenously designed and constructed guided-missile stealth destroyer named after the City of Destiny – Visakhapatnam.

The ship, commissioned on 21 November 2021, is one of the largest destroyers in service with the Indian Navy.

It was built at Mazagon Dock Limited of Mumbai.

The ship symbolises India's matured shipbuilding capability and quest for the Make in India initiative towards achieving 'Atmanirbhar Bharat'.

The crew of the ship abides by her motto 'Yasho Labhasva' - a sanskrit phrase that translates to 'Attain Glory'.

It embodies the indomitable spirit and capability of this mighty ship to achieve success and glory in every endeavour.

On 11 January 2022, Visakhapatnam successfully fired an advanced variant of Brahmos missile in sea-to-sea mode validating its extended range and improvements.

Under the P-15B (Visakhapatnam Class), a total of four warships were planned to be inducted - Visakhapatnam, Mormugao, Imphal, Surat.