Project 15-A Kolkata DDGHM

The Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs (CCPA) approved construction of three more frigates as the follow on of Project 15 frigates in 1986. The Ministry sanctioned in March 1986 the construction of three frigates at a cost of Rs 360 crore at MDL. The construction of these frigates had not been initially taken up so the Navy redesigned them to make them with modem warfare capabilities.

In May 2000, the government approved construction of three units of the Project 15A Bangalore Class destroyer. To be built to a modified design, construction of the P-15A 'Bangalore' Class ships could begin at MDL in 2002. Tentative delivery of the first unit was to be five years later, and the other two at 18 month intervals thereafter.

The Kolkata class (Project 15A) destroyers are a state of the art follow-on of the Delhi class destroyers. The Delhi Class had acquired an almost iconic status, being one of the finest in their category. The follow-on series is more or less similar having the same propulsion with minor improvements. There will be some changes in the weapon systems, which will be mostly of Indian origin. Basically an incremental improvement on the Delhis by adding Brahmos, the Kolkata doesn't look like it has much low observable features. The design of the DDG includes ae 16-cell BrahMos UVLM along with a 32-cell UVLM for the Barak-2 below the bridge, and another 32-cell UVLM for the Barak-2 aft of the helicopter deck, along with the mast-mounted EL/M-2248 MF-STAR radar.

Although conceived as follow-on to the earlier Delhi class, Project 15A ships, and the Shivaliks as well, will be technologically far superior, with major advances in weapons and sensors. The Bangalore class used the same hull as the Delhi class, with major differences - including the weapon systems. The P15A ships were initially planned to possess enhanced stealth features and land-attack capabilities in the form of Russian-built Novator 3M54E1 'Klub' vertically launched cruise missiles. The Delhi class employed the Russian Kashmir SA-7 surface-to-air missile system and the KH-35 Uran surface-to-surface missile. The Bangalore class would employ the Israeli Barak-1 for its surface-to-air missile system and the Indian-developed BrahMos for its surface attack requirement.

The Project-15A Kolkata class [not Bangalore] ships are follow-on ships of the Project-15 destroyers, namely IN ships, Delhi, Mysore and Mumbai - the front line combatants of Indian Navy. The P15A destroyer possess enhanced stealth features and land-attack capabilities and add a new dimension in naval warfare for the Indian Navy. 'Kolkata' has a length of 163 meters, beam of 17.4 meters, a displacement of 6,800 tons, and has a full load displacement of 7400 tonnes. The ships can carry two helicopters on board. Propelled by four gas turbines, the indigenously designed ship will have modern weapons and sensors, advanced action information system, total atmospheric control system and a host of other advanced features. The BrahMos cruise missile will equip all major Indian naval warships like the three under-construction Project 15A destroyers and Project 17 frigates and will be retrofitted on one existing warship each year.

Regarded as the most potent warship to have been constructed in India yet, the ship has a Combined Gas and Gas (COGAG) propulsion system, consisting of four powerful reversible gas turbines and can attain speeds in excess of 30 knots. The ship’s electric power is provided by four gas turbine generators and one diesel alternator, which together produce 4.5 Mega-Watts of electrical power, enough to light up a small town. The ship has a complement of 30 officers and 300 sailors.

INS Kolkata incorporates new design concepts for stealth and has many firsts to her credit, including a very large indigenous combat component. The ship is packed with the sophisticated state-of-the-art weapons and sensors including the vertically launched Long Range Surface to Air Missiles (LRSAM) coupled with the MF-STAR multi-function active phased array radar, which is fitted for the first time on an Indian Naval ship. She is equipped with advanced supersonic and long range BrahMos Surface to Surface Missiles – a joint Indo-Russian venture. The 76 mm Super Rapid Gun Mount (SRGM) and AK 630 CIWS, both manufactured indigenously, can take on air and surface targets.

The entire anti-submarine weapon and sensor suite fitted onboard, consisting of Indigenous Rocket Launchers (IRL), Indigenous Twin-tube Torpedo Launchers (ITTL) and a bow-mounted New Generation HUMSA Sonar are a fine example of our indigenous efforts in the field of underwater warfare. The sensor suite includes other advanced surface and air surveillance radars and an indigenous Electronic Warfare system. A state-of-the-art Combat Management System (CMS-15A) has been integrated with the onboard weapons and sensors. The ship is equipped to operate two Seaking or Chetak helicopters.

The ship can be truly classified as a ‘Network of Networks’ as it is equipped with sophisticated digital networks, such as ATM based Integrated Ship Data Network (AISDN), Auxiliary Control System (ACS), Automatic Power Management System (APMS) and Combat Management System (CMS). The AISDN is the information highway on which data from all the sensors and weapons ride. Whilst remote control and monitoring of machinery is achieved through ACS, the intricate power supply management is done using APMS. The CMS is used to integrate information from own data sources and collate information from other platforms using indigenous data-link system, to provide maritime domain awareness. Crew comfort is a significant feature of INS Kolkata and has been ensured through ergonomically designed accommodation and galley compartments on modular concept.