SOURCE: AFI
The Indian Navy’s guided-missile destroyer INS Imphal (D-68), a formidable asset of the Visakhapatnam-class, has recently been sighted bearing four kill markings on its Super Rapid Gun Mount (SRGM). These markings—three for surface targets and one for an aerial target—offer a rare glimpse into the operational achievements of this stealth destroyer, underscoring its growing role in securing India’s maritime interests. While details of these engagements remain classified, the markings highlight the ship’s combat readiness and versatility across multiple domains of naval warfare.
Commissioned into the Indian Navy on December 26, 2023, INS Imphal is the third of four Visakhapatnam-class destroyers built under Project 15B by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) in Mumbai. Designed by the Navy’s Warship Design Bureau, this 163-meter-long warship displaces 7,400 tonnes and boasts a 75% indigenous content, reflecting India’s push for self-reliance in defense manufacturing. Named after the capital city of Manipur, INS Imphal holds the distinction of being the first major warship named after a Northeastern city, symbolizing national unity.
Kill markings on naval vessels are a time-honored tradition, symbolizing successful engagements with enemy targets. On INS Imphal, the markings were observed on the 76 mm Super Rapid Gun Mount, a versatile weapon system capable of engaging both surface and aerial threats at short ranges. The three surface target markings likely indicate the destruction or neutralization of hostile boats, drones, or other maritime threats, while the single aerial target marking suggests the downing of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), missile, or aircraft.
While the Indian Navy has not officially disclosed the specifics of these engagements, the presence of these markings suggests that INS Imphal has already been tested in real-world scenarios since its commissioning just over a year ago. The markings could stem from live-fire exercises, anti-piracy operations, or defensive actions in contested waters, possibly in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), where India faces growing challenges from piracy, smuggling, and the expanding presence of adversarial navies.
The 76 mm Super Rapid Gun Mount, manufactured by OTO Melara (now Leonardo), is a cornerstone of INS Imphal’s close-in defense capabilities. Capable of firing up to 120 rounds per minute, the SRGM can engage targets at ranges of up to 16 kilometers, making it effective against small boats, low-flying aircraft, and incoming missiles. Its rapid rate of fire and precision, combined with the ship’s advanced fire control systems like the Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL)-developed Lynx U1 or U2, allow INS Imphal to tackle a wide spectrum of threats with lethal efficiency.
The kill markings on the SRGM indicate its active role in combat scenarios or exercises. The three surface kills could reflect engagements with fast attack craft, drones posing as surface threats, or even simulated targets during high-intensity drills like the Theatre Level Operational Readiness Exercise (TROPEX). The aerial kill marking points to the SRGM’s anti-air capability, potentially used to neutralize a drone or incoming projectile during a defensive operation or a live-fire test of the ship’s air defense systems.
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