Dr K Laxman visits INS Mormugao; highlights India’s indigenous defence capabilities

In a social media post on Friday, Laxman said he was “thrilled to experience the might” of the Indian Navy’s indigenously built guided-missile destroyer. He also shared that he had a moment at the helm alongside K.C. Venugopal during the visit.

INS Mormugao (D67) is the second warship of the Project 15B/Visakhapatnam-class stealth guided-missile destroyers. It was commissioned into the Indian Navy on December 18, 2022, at the Naval Dockyard in Mumbai. The vessel was designed by the Indian Navy’s Warship Design Bureau and constructed by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited.

According to the Ministry of Defence, the 163-metre-long destroyer has a displacement of about 7,400 tonnes and incorporates more than 75% indigenous content. It is equipped with advanced weapons and sensors, including surface-to-surface and surface-to-air missile systems, modern surveillance radar and anti-submarine warfare capabilities.

Laxman said the visit made him proud of India’s progress in indigenous defence production and maritime capabilities. His post focused on the country’s increasing ability to design and build advanced naval platforms domestically.