Project 15B Stealth Missile Destroyer: Mazagon Docks Invites Other Dockyards to Participate in Construction

Silhouette of P-15B destroyer displayed at Mazagon Docks Limited pavilion at DefExpo 2012

Mazagon Dockyard Limited (MDL), a defense PSU, intends to leverage capacities available within the country at other private and public sector dockyards in order to speed up construction of Project 15B stealth missile destroyers for the Indian Navy.

In order to shortlist firms of repute as partners in the construction program, on April 7, 2014 MDL invited Expression of Interest (EOI) from private and public sector dockyards for block fabrication, outfitting, transportation and delivery of blocks at MDL for Project 15 ships.

Project-15B destroyers are being built using modular construction.

DNA reported on April 25, 2014 that L&T would bid for the project.

The Indian Government approved the construction of four 6,800-ton destroyers by Mazagon Dock Ltd, Mumbai (MDL) in August 2010. There was no competitive bidding for the project which is a “follow-on” to the currently underway Project 15A - construction of three Kolkata class destroyers at MDL.

Construction of Project 15B destroyers was to start after MDL launched the last Project 15A destroyer INS Chennai on April 1, 2010, but didn't.

It was earlier projected that the four ships would be completed in the 2012-2014 time frame.

Considering that the first of the class ship is yet to be launched, it is unlikely that any ship from the project would be delivered to the IN before 2020.