Mormugao, an indigenously built warship equipped with a range of high-tech missiles was launched in Mumbai on Saturday. the vessel has been built by government-run Mazgaon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd (MDL) and belongs to Visakhapatnam class of ships being constructed under Project 15B. Mazgaon Dockyard priest Shri Puranik performed the mandatory pooja and blessed the ship. The launch ceremony was attended by Admiral S Lanba CNS and Mrs Reena Lanba along with other dignitaries. Mormugao is the second destroyer of the Project 15B. The first destroyer, INS Visakhapatnam, was launched in 2015.

The Indian navy aims to take the level of indigenisation in this project to 68%, from the current 66%. This project is in continuation of the 15A, under which the INS Kolkata and INS Delhi class of warships were built. In 2011, the government had sanctioned four 15B ships at the cost of Rs 29,700 crore. Navy chief Admiral Sunil Lanba’s wife Reena launched the bedecked ship at a function at Mazagaon Docks at noon. The vessel is yet to undergo certain testings required by Indian Navy. In one year, the Indian Navy has inducted five ships into its fleet, including three warships. Vice Admiral G S Pabby said that their target is to have 212 ships in its fleet by 2027.