| Kolkata Class Destroyer | |
|---|---|
| Name: | Kolkata class |
| Builders: | Mazagon Dock Limited |
| Operators: |  Indian Navy |
| Preceded by: | Delhi class |
| Succeeded by: | Project 15B |
| Cost: | Program Cost:  8,459 crore (US$1.89 billion)Unit Cost: 2,820 crore (US$628.86 million) |
| Building: | 3 |
| Planned: | 7 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type: | Guided missile destroyer |
| Displacement: | Full load: 6,800 tonnes (6,700 long tons) |
| Length: | 163 m (535 ft) |
| Beam: | 17.4 m (57 ft) |
| Propulsion: | COGAG: Zorya 2× M36E gas turbine plants with 4× DT-59 reversible gas turbines 2× RG-54 gearboxes 2× Bergen/GRSE KVM-diesel engines, 9,900 hp (7,400 kW) each 4× 1mWe Wartsila WCM-1000 generator sets driving Cummins KTA50G3 engines and Kirloskar 1MV AC generators |
| Speed: | In excess of 30 knots (56 km/h) |
| Sensors and processing systems: | IAI EL/M-2248 MF-STAR Multi-mission radar (Active Electronically Scanned Array) IAI EL/M-2238 L-band STAR surveillance radar BEL HUMSA-NG sonar BEL RAWL-02 /Thales LW-08 D-band air search radar ,aft BEL Nagin active towed array sonar, BEL Electronic Modular Command & Control Applications (EMCCA Mk4) combat management system |
| Electronic warfare and decoys: | Elbit Systems Deseaver MK II countermeasures systems and defensive aids suite |
| Armament: | • Anti-ship: 4× 4-cell BrahMos UVLM • Air-defence: 2× 32-cell VLS Barak II SAM • CIWS: 4× 30 mm AK-630 gatling guns • Anti-submarine warfare: Torpedo tubes and 2× RBU-6000 |
| Aviation facilities: | Flight deck and enclosed hangar for up to two naval helicopters |
Development
These are the largest warships ever constructed at Mazagon, the oldest Indian naval dockyard. The concept and function for Project 15A was framed by the Navy's Directorate of Naval Design, while the detailed design was developed by Mazagon Dock Limited (MDL). Three vessels of the Kolkata class are under construction at MDL.
Aimed at adding improving the country's naval capabilities, India has launched the indigenous warship with enhanced stealth features and land-attack capabilities. Project 15 A, although conceived as a follow-on of the earlier Delhi class, has major advances in its weapons and sensors. Propelled by four Zarya reversible gas turbines from Ukraine, there was delay in construction due to default by Ukraine in delivering the propellers and shafts, the contract for which was later awarded to Russia.
Indian designed and built systems onboard include the HUMSA-NG (Hull Mounted Sonar Array – new generation) and the Nagin active towed array sonar. The vessels will also feature BrahMos cruise missiles and the Indo-Israeli Long Range Surface to Air Missile (LRSAM) which has a range of 70 km. Each vessel is expected to cost 38 billion (US$847.4 million), including the cost of spares and maintenance over the ship's life.
Ships of the class
| Name | Pennant | Laid down | Launched | Sea trials | Commissioning |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| INS Kolkata | 27 September 2003 | 30 March 2006 | May 2012 | ||
| INS Kochi | 25 October 2005 | 18 September 2009 | May 2013 | ||
| INS Chennai | 21 February 2006 | 1 April 2010 | May 2014 |
Project 15B
In January 2011, the Cabinet Committee for Security gave approval for four more destroyers under Project 15B. Even though Type 15B retains the hull form of Kolkata class destroyers, there will be changes in the superstructure and will be far stealthier with better sound and infrared suppression systems. The Project 15B will be armed with the Nirbhay cruise missile of 1,000 km range, the hypersonic Brahmos-II cruise missile and Extended Range Surface to Air Missile (ER-SAM) with a range of 100 km. Project 15 B differs from Project 15 A because of the “flush deck.” Flush Deck enable stealth as its smooth with less angles and corners. The displacement of each Project 15 B will be 7000 tonnes. except weaponry, which will be imported, the ship will be totally indigenous. It is also expected to carry Nirbhay and Brahmos – II cruise missiles. In addition It may feature Barak -II for Air defence. As with most Indian design, the ship will operate two helicopters.
