Thursday 11 / June / 2026
NEW DELHI: India is advancing plans for its ambitious Project 18 (P-18) program, a new class of next-generation stealth destroyers that are expected to become the backbone of the Indian Navy's future blue-water combat capabilities.
Designed by the Naval Design Bureau, the warships are expected to displace between 10,000 and 13,000 tonnes, making them among the largest and most powerful surface combatants ever built in India. The project is a key component of the country's Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative, which aims to boost indigenous defence production and reduce reliance on foreign military technology.
One of the most striking features of the proposed destroyers is their massive firepower. The vessels are expected to carry up to 144 vertical launch system (VLS) cells capable of deploying a wide range of weapons, including extended-range BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles, indigenous land-attack missiles, advanced surface-to-air missile systems, and future hypersonic weapons.
The ships are also expected to feature cutting-edge sensor and tracking capabilities. At the heart of the combat system will likely be the Defence Research and Development Organisation's Long-Range Multi-Functional Radar (LR-MFR), an advanced active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar designed to detect and track aerial and maritime threats at extended ranges.
Project 18 is being developed with a strong focus on future warfare requirements. The destroyers are expected to incorporate Integrated Electric Propulsion (IEP), a technology that will provide greater efficiency while generating the large amounts of electrical power required for advanced combat systems.
The design also includes provisions for integrating emerging technologies such as ballistic missile defence capabilities, directed-energy weapons including high-energy lasers, and other next-generation systems as they become operational.
In addition to their missile and radar capabilities, the destroyers will be equipped to operate modern multi-role helicopters, unmanned aerial vehicles, and autonomous underwater platforms. These systems will enhance the ships' surveillance, anti-submarine warfare, and maritime security missions across vast ocean areas.
The Indian Navy is understood to be considering an initial batch of four to six Project 18 destroyers, although final specifications and procurement timelines remain under development.
Once commissioned, the Project 18 warships are expected to significantly enhance India's maritime reach and combat capabilities, strengthening its position as a major naval power in the Indo-Pacific region while providing a platform designed to meet operational requirements well into the middle of the century.
