Armament
For its anti-surface warfare (ASuW) capabilities, the class features sixteen Brahmos anti-ship cruise missiles, capable of speeds of up to Mach 3. [24] Manufactured by BrahMos Aerospace. [25] The BrahMos is widely regarded as one of the most formidable anti-ship missiles currently in service, given the missile's extreme versatility and maneuverability. [26]
Additionally, the vessels of the class are equipped with one OTO Melara 76 mm naval gun manufactured by Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited at their Haridwar facility. [25] Originally, the IN had planned to install the Mk-45 127 mm (5 in) naval gun, manufactured by BAE; however, this plan was scrapped in 2021, on account of financial constraints. [27]
As part of its anti-air warfare (AAW) capabilities, the class features thirty-two Barak 8 surface-to-air missiles, with sixteen missiles present in four "2 x 4" VLS configurations - with two placed at the bow and two placed aft. The launchers were manufactured by Bharat Electronics at their Bangalore facility. [28] [25]
The Barak 8, also classified as the LR-SAM, is designed to neutralize various aerial threats, including fighter aircraft, helicopters, anti-ship missiles, cruise missiles, ballistic missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV); the new variant is expected to feature a range of about 150 km (93 mi). [29]
For point defense, the vessels are equipped with four AK-630M close-in weapon systems (CIWS), with two systems on either side of the superstructure. [30]
For its anti-submarine warfare (ASW) capabilities, the class features two twin torpedo launchers, designed to launch heavyweight torpedoes - such as the Varunastra heavyweight torpedo, developed by the Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO). [3] [31] The class also features two RBU-6000 (RPK-8) anti-submarine rocket launchers, capable of firing ASW projectiles to depths of up to 1,000 m (3,300 ft). [3] Both the RBU-6000 and torpedo tubes were manufactured by Larsen & Toubro's Mumbai facility. [25]
As part of its aviation facilities, the class is equipped with a flight deck and an enclosed aviation hangar, capable of two medium-sized helicopters – primarily the HAL Dhruv, or the Westland Sea King Mk. 42B. [3] Additionally, the ships are equipped with a "rail-less" helicopter traversing system, meant for securing the helicopter in case of adverse weather conditions at sea. [32]
As for the class' defensive abilities, each destroyer is equipped with two Kavach anti-missile decoy systems for neutralizing incoming aerial threats at short ranges. [30]
Sensors
The class features the IAI EL/M-2248 MF-STAR S band active electronically scanned array radar, as its primary radar suite. [3] The EL/M-2248 is a multi-function, phased-array radar system featuring an azimuth of 360o, with the capability to track both aerial and surface targets - at a range of over 450 km (280 mi). [33]
The class further features the Thales LW 08 [ de ] (BEL RAWL-02) as its secondary radar suite. [34] The LW-08 is a solid-state, two-dimensional, long-range D band surveillance radar, meant for providing target acquisition against aerial and surface threats. It is capable of operating in a cluttered electronic environment, equipped with an instrumental range of 270 km (170 mi), with the capability to track both cruise missiles and fighter aircraft. [35]
The class is equipped with the BEL HUMSA-NG sonar, a hull-mounted "active cum passive" integrated sonar system developed by the DRDO. [36] [37] The HUMSA-NG is capable of detecting, classifying and tracking sub-surface targets in both active and passive modes, with the capability to simultaneously track up to eight targets. [38] The destroyers are also equipped with the BEL Nagin active towed array sonar. [39]
For electronic warfare (EW), the destroyers are equipped with the DRDL Shakti EW suite, designed to provide Indian warships an electronic layer of defence against modern radars and anti-ship missiles. [40] Shakthi is equipped with wideband electronic support measures (ESM) and electronic countermeasures (ECM), meant for intercepting, classifying and jamming both conventional and modern radars. [41] Additionally, the suite is also equipped with an in-build radar fingerprinting and data recording replay feature for post-mission analysis and evaluation. [42]