Enemy’s Morale to Weaken, Indian Navy to Gain More Power with Next-Generation Destroyer Fleet under Project-18

To strengthen India’s naval force, four advanced warships are being built under Project-18. Each will weigh 10,000–13,000 tons and come equipped with BrahMos missiles, cutting-edge radars, and the latest technologies. This initiative is a key step in the ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ mission, aimed at transforming India into a dominant naval power.

Indian Navy Prepares for a Stronger Future

The Indian Navy is gearing up to expand its maritime strength to new heights. According to defense sources, the Ministry of Defence is expected to soon grant the Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) approval for constructing four next-generation destroyers under Project-18. In the first phase, four warships will be built, marking the beginning of a long-standing plan to induct ten advanced destroyers. Weighing between 10,000 and 13,000 tons, these ships will significantly boost India’s strike capability at sea.

Successor to the Visakhapatnam-Class Destroyers

The P-18 destroyers will succeed the Indian Navy’s current Visakhapatnam-class fleet, also known as Project 15B. With the commissioning of INS Surat in January 2025, the four-ship Project 15B series was completed. For the first time, the Navy has no destroyer under construction, and Project-18 will address this critical gap. It will also meet strategic requirements amid rising geopolitical challenges across the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).

Current Status and Challenges

At present, the Indian Navy operates 13 destroyers, including older Rajput and Delhi classes, alongside the newer Kolkata and Visakhapatnam classes. However, the global scenario shows a different picture:

• China possesses more than 50 destroyers.
• Japan has a fleet of 42 destroyers.

India has set an ambitious target of inducting over 200 warships and submarines by 2035. This fleet expansion will include dozens of destroyers, frigates, and submarines. Additionally, by 2030, more than 300 BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles are planned to be deployed across these assets.

Project Linked with Aatmanirbhar Bharat

The design of P-18 destroyers is being developed by the Warship Design Bureau (WDB) of the Indian Navy. The project is closely tied to the vision of ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat.’ In July 2025, WDB presented the concept design of P-18 during the “Nation Building Through Shipbuilding” seminar, where the handover of the 100th indigenous warship was also celebrated. The milestone marked India’s transition from being a buyer’s navy to becoming a builder’s navy.

Cutting-Edge Design and Capabilities

The P-18 destroyers, weighing 10,000–13,000 tons, will be the largest surface combatants ever built in India. By international standards, they may be classified as cruisers.

• Each warship will carry 144 VLS (Vertical Launch System) cells, surpassing China’s Type 055 (112 VLS) and equaling the U.S. Arleigh Burke-class (96 VLS). These cells will launch BrahMos supersonic missiles, the upcoming hypersonic BrahMos-II, long-range land-attack cruise missiles (LR-LACM), and the SMART (Supersonic Missile Assisted Release of Torpedo) system.
• Behind the primary radar, eight additional launchers will be reserved for hypersonic BrahMos missiles.
• An S-band AESA radar will serve as the main multi-mission sensor, supported by volume search radars and multi-sensor masts for full 360-degree coverage. Developed by BEL and DRDO, these systems will detect threats over 500 km away, including aerial, surface, and underwater dangers.
• The warships will feature an advanced Anti-Ballistic Missile (ABM) system with PGLRSAM interceptors capable of neutralizing threats such as China’s anti-ship ballistic missiles from up to 250 km.
• Additional systems will include state-of-the-art electronic warfare suites, active and passive sonar, and unmanned platforms like UUVs, UAVs, and kamikaze drones, enhancing surveillance, mine detection, and anti-submarine operations.

The design will emphasize stealth features and modular construction, targeting a build time of 4–5 years compared to the current 7–8 years. Indigenization levels are planned at 90% for hull, 60% for propulsion, and 50% for weapon systems.

Backbone of the Future Fleet

The P-18 destroyers will eventually replace older Rajput-class (5,000 tons) and Delhi-class (6,700 tons) warships. With their advanced weaponry and cutting-edge systems, they are set to become the backbone of the Indian Navy in the coming decades, ensuring India’s dominance in maritime security and power projection.