India to Launch ₹80,000-Crore Destroyer Programme Enhancing Naval Capabilities
India is on the brink of launching a significant naval modernization effort, as Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) has announced the Navy's plans to begin a major new destroyer acquisition program. This next-generation initiative, anticipated to be formalized within the coming year, is projected to cost between ₹70,000 and ₹80,000 crore (USD 8–9 billion), marking it as one of India's largest indigenous warship-building endeavors to date.
Next-Generation Destroyers: Project-18 on the Horizon
The forthcoming fleet, potentially designated as Project-18 (Next Generation Destroyer – NGD) or as an extension of the Project-15C series, will comprise state-of-the-art stealth-enhanced destroyers aimed at asserting dominance throughout the Indo-Pacific region. Each ship is expected to have a displacement of around 10,000 tons, ranking them among the largest and most heavily armed surface combatants ever constructed in India.
Heavily Armed with Expanded Vertical Launch Systems
The new destroyers will be equipped with an extensive vertical launch system (VLS) suite, capable of accommodating over 100 missile cells. These cells will support a variety of weaponry, including:
| BrahMos and future BrahMos-NG supersonic cruise missiles |
| Land-attack cruise missiles |
| A multi-layered air defense network integrating long-, medium-, and short-range SAMs |
| An upgraded version of the LR-SAM/MR-SAM (Barak-8 family) for powerful area defense |
Cutting-Edge Sensors and Combat Systems
The ships will feature some of India's most advanced indigenous technologies, such as:
| AESA-based multifunction radars from BEL and LRDE |
| Next-generation sonar, EW suites, and soft-kill systems |
| A fully networked combat management system that supports cooperative engagement and seamless data fusion with submarines, aircraft, and unmanned systems |
These advancements collectively position Project-18 as a pivotal component of India's future maritime strength.
High-End Propulsion and Stealth Enhancements
The destroyers are anticipated to be powered by either:
| COGAG (Combined Gas and Gas) |
| IFEP (Integrated Full Electric Propulsion) |
Both propulsion options promise long-range and high-endurance performance in blue-water operations. Stealth features such as radar-absorbent materials, stealth shaping, and acoustic suppression will greatly reduce the ships' detectability. Each destroyer will operate two multi-role helicopters to enhance anti-submarine, intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR), and fleet-support capabilities.
Boost to Domestic Shipbuilding and Industry
For MDL, this program promises sustained activity following the success of the Visakhapatnam-class (Project-15B) destroyers. It aims to:
| Enhance collaboration with DRDO and private industry |
| Provide expanded opportunities for Tier-1 and Tier-2 Indian suppliers |
| Strengthen “Atmanirbhar Bharat” by advancing indigenous warship design and production capabilities |
Core of India’s Future Naval Strike Groups
The Navy plans to commission eight of these next-generation destroyers, which will form the core of future carrier battle groups and expeditionary task forces. As the Delhi-class destroyers are phased out over the next decade, the new vessels are expected to become the mainstay of India’s surface warfare and air-defense operations well into the 2040s and 2050s.
