'Capable of naval warfare across air, surface, underwater, electronic'

As India’s latest stealth destroyer INS Imphal prepares for its operational deployment on the high seas to further boost the Indian Navy’s readiness in a challenging and vast strategic expanse, the warship’s commanding officer Captain Kamal Kumar Choudhury said it will be a globally deployable versatile platform, and its forward presence will help secure the country’s growing economic and military interests.

- Rahul Singh

INTERVIEW - CAPTAIN KAMAL KUMAR CHOUDHURY, CO, INS IMPHAL

In an interview to Rahul Singh on board the destroyer, Choudhury spelt out his top priorities, the challenges faced by the commissioning crew of a warship, the multi-mission capabilities of INS Imphal, how it will enhance India’s sea power, and the historic firsts associated with the destroyer. Edited excerpts:

What will be your top priorities in the coming months?

The immediate focus will be on conducting trials of the Barak-8 medium-range surface-to-air missile (MRSAM) system. It will provide air defence against all kinds of aerial threats. Completing the aviation trials is equally critical for helicopter operations by day and night. All other weapons and systems were fully tested before the commissioning, including the extended-range BrahMos supersonic missile, Varunastra heavy-weight torpedoes and anti-submarine rockets. Once INS Imphal is integrated with the navy’s Western Fleet, we will be ready for deployment anywhere.

What does it feel like to be the commissioning captain of a frontline destroyer?

To commission a new warship, and that too a destroyer, as a captain is the opportunity of a lifetime. I have been in service for almost 26 years, and I am telling you that it is the best job you can ever get in the Indian Navy. This happens to be my third commissioning. The first one was guided missile frigate INS Talwar in 2003 at St Petersburg in Russia. At the time, I was a gunnery officer and in charge of the forward-mounted 100 mm gun. I was also the executive officer (second-in-command) when guided missile destroyer INS Kochi was commissioned in 2015.