Project 18

Prelims: Current events of national and international importance

Why in News?

India's Project 18 is emerging as one of the most ambitious warship programs undertaken by the Indian Navy.

Project 18 – It is a proposed class of next-generation destroyers/cruiser-sized warships for the Indian Navy.
Designed by – Indian Navy’s Warship Design Bureau (WDB)
Collaboration with – Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) and Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE).

Key Features

Expected displacement – 11,000–13,000 tonnes, significantly larger than the current Visakhapatnam-class destroyers (~7,500 tonnes).
Expected length – Around 180 metres, envisioned as a multi-domain command platform capable of coordinating manned and unmanned naval assets.
Integrated Electric Propulsion (IEP) – Advanced propulsion system generating large amounts of electrical power.
It reduces acoustic signatures, improving stealth & supports future technologies such as laser weapons and advanced radars.
Powerful Weapons Suite – Up to 144 Vertical Launch System (VLS) cells.
It is likely to carry the following
- BrahMos Missile
- Future BrahMos-II hypersonic missile.
- Long-Range Land Attack Cruise Missiles (LR-LACM).
- SMART anti-submarine missiles.
- Project Kusha air-defence missiles.
- Anti-ballistic missile interceptors.
Advanced Sensors – Indigenous S-band AESA radar developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation.
Surveillance range reportedly exceeding 500 km.
Advanced electronic warfare and battle-management systems.
Unmanned Systems Integration – Capable of controlling:
- UAVs (drones)
- USVs (Unmanned Surface Vessels)
- XLUUVs (Extra-Large Unmanned Underwater Vehicles)
Directed Energy Weapons – Provision for 50–100 kW laser systems.
Intended to counter drone swarms and low-cost aerial threats.

Strategic Significance

Enhances India's blue-water navy capabilities.
Strengthens maritime dominance in the Indo-Pacific.
Improves air defence, anti-submarine warfare, and long-range strike capability.
Supports the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat through indigenous design and shipbuilding.

Reference

TEN News| Project 18