The Indian Navy is embarking on a monumental voyage of modernization with its ambitious Next-Generation Destroyer (NGD) program, colloquially dubbed Project 18. Set to reshape India’s naval capabilities, this endeavour envisions the procurement of eight NGD-class warships, organized into two batches of four each.
Indian Navy to get 8 Next-Generation Destroyer (NGD)
The Indian state-owned shipyards, Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE) and Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) are at the forefront of this project, poised to undertake the local manufacture of these cutting-edge vessels.
While the NGD programme is still in its conceptual stages, intriguing facts have emerged that provide a glimpse into the future of Indian naval warfare. Last year, a promotional video revealed a graphical representation of a probable NGD idea, displaying a remarkable canister-based universal Vertical Launch System (VLS) configuration.
This novel design includes 144 missile cells organised in three 64 VLS 2 structures at the bow and aft. The NGD also has eight slant launchers located below the main radar, which might be used to launch the powerful BrahMos-2 anti-ship missile.
The NGD class of warships is a blank slate that is being methodically shaped during its continuing development phase. This incarnation is set to supersede India’s famed Visakhapatnam-class destroyers, signalling an evolutionary leap in the country’s naval strength. The NGD configuration is expected to be finalised in 2024, paving the way for construction to begin between 2025 and 2026, culminating in their induction into the Navy force by 2031.
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The NGD destroyers, which are expected to weigh over 13,000 standard tonnes, will be a strong expression of maritime superiority. The NGD class is prepared to join the ranks of worldwide navy behemoths, standing shoulder to shoulder with the Chinese Type 055 destroyer, which boasts 112 VLS cells, and the United States Navy’s Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser, which boasts 122 VLS cells.
This decisive step forward has been fueled by invaluable past lessons. Although exceptional, the Visakhapatnam class and its predecessor, the Kolkata-class destroyers, were criticised for carrying a limited armament. These ships were thought to be under-armed in contrast to their international counterparts, with just 32 Barak-ER air defence missile systems and 16 BrahMos anti-ship missiles. The NGD programme aims to address this perceived shortfall by bringing India’s naval forces up to global standards and assuring their readiness for modern maritime threats.
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