SYLLABUS

GS-3: Various Security Forces and Agencies and Their Mandate; Security Challenges and Their Management; Indigenisation of Technology.

Context: The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, has accorded in-principle approval to Project 18A to develop next-generation stealth guided-missile destroyers for the Indian Navy.

Understanding Project 18A

• Project 18A, also known as the Next-Generation Destroyer (NGD) programme, aims to develop advanced stealth guided-missile destroyers for India's future naval requirements.

• It will succeed the Visakhapatnam-class (Project 15B) destroyers and advance India's indigenous guided-missile destroyer development.

• The programme is being designed by the Navy's Warship Design Bureau (WDB) and forms part of its broader modernisation plan, alongside Next-Generation Frigates (Project 17B) and Next-Generation Corvettes.

• The programme is estimated to cost ₹75,000–80,000 crore. 

Key Features of Project 18A

• Larger Warships: The proposed destroyers are expected to have a displacement exceeding 10,000 tonnes, with some reports suggesting around 13,000 tonnes. 

• This is significantly higher than the approximately 7,400-tonne displacement of Visakhapatnam-class destroyers, allowing greater capacity for weapons, sensors and future upgrades.

• Advanced Weapons Systems: Reported designs envisage up to 144 Vertical Launch System (VLS) cells.

• These could accommodate BrahMos variants, Barak-8 Extended Range and Long-Range Land Attack Cruise Missiles (LR-LACM), alongside advanced air-defence and future missile systems.

• Advanced Surveillance and Stealth: The proposed destroyers will feature advanced radars, integrated combat-management systems and electronic warfare suites. 

• Stealth-oriented designs will improve multi-domain threat detection, tracking and survivability.

• Integrated Electric Propulsion (IEP): The proposed system will generate electricity centrally for propulsion and onboard equipment. 

• It will provide greater electrical capacity for advanced sensors, electronic warfare systems and potential future directed-energy weapons.

• Enhanced Anti-Submarine Warfare: Advanced sonar, underwater surveillance and anti-submarine weapons will improve the detection and neutralisation of hostile submarines. 

• Provisions for unmanned underwater systems could further enhance surveillance and mine detection.

• Indigenous Manufacturing: Approximately 75% indigenous content is envisaged. 

• Participation of domestic Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs) and private shipyards will promote local development of weapons, sensors, propulsion systems and advanced shipbuilding technologies.

Need and Significance of Next-Generation Stealth Destroyers

• Strengthening Maritime Deterrence: Advanced weapons, stealth and surveillance systems will help counter China's expanding naval presence and Pakistan's growing underwater warfare capabilities in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).

• Protecting Maritime Interests: Safeguard vital Sea Lines of Communication (SLOCs), maritime trade and strategic infrastructure. Support India's wider Indo-Pacific commitments.

• Enhancing Blue-Water Capabilities: Greater firepower, endurance and advanced combat systems will strengthen long-distance naval operations. Protect aircraft carrier groups and maritime task forces.

• Modernising the Naval Fleet: Help replace ageing destroyers nearing decommissioning. Maintain the strength of India's surface combat fleet against emerging maritime threats.

• Promoting Self-Reliance and Future Readiness: Indigenous manufacturing, advanced propulsion, electronic warfare and next-generation weapons will strengthen India's defence industry. Reduce import dependence and prepare the Navy for multi-domain naval warfare.