Navy to launch indigenous, stealth destroyer

The first, mostly indigenously built ship of a follow-up project of the Kolkata class warships is ready to be put to the sea, officials said on Thursday.

The ship, named Vishakhapatnam (Project 15 B), a stealth destroyer, is 65 percent indigenous and has a number of weapon systems which have been made at home.

"This is the first time virtual designing and 3D modelling have been used largely to design a warship. This ship will be a stepping stone for handling larger warships in future...," Director General Naval Design Rear Admiral A.K. Saxena said.

Vishakhapatnam, a 7,300-tonne destroyer is the first of four ships that India is making under Project 15 B, a followup of Kolkata class of warships.

Navy officials said the ship is likely to be inducted in the Indian Navy by 2018.