India develops Project 18 Next Generation Destroyer

The Indian Navy is developing the Project 18 Next Generation Destroyer (NGD), a massive surface combatant expected to displace between 10,000 and 15,000 tonnes. The vessel is planned to feature advanced capabilities, including over 140 vertical launch cells, multi-band radar systems, and integrated electric propulsion.

To manage the high costs associated with such large vessels, experts suggest the Navy must prioritize smart automation and digital ship architecture. Relying on traditional manual-heavy operational models could lead to unsustainable manpower requirements and long-term pension and salary burdens. Implementing centralized machinery-control systems and highly networked computing environments, similar to the United States Navy’s Zumwalt-class, could significantly reduce the necessary crew size compared to current Kolkata-class destroyers.