India's Project 18 next-generation destroyer programme is evolving into a cruiser-class warship that could become one of the most heavily armed surface combatants in Asia, according to a report by Greek City Times. The platform is expected to displace between 11,000 and 13,000 tonnes at full load and stretch approximately 180 metres in length — placing it well above the Indian Navy's current frontline destroyers.

Scale and Propulsion

The proposed vessel's dimensions represent a significant expansion over existing Indian destroyers such as the Visakhapatnam class. According to the report, the warship will be powered by an Integrated Electric Propulsion (IEP) system — a technology prized for its ability to generate large amounts of onboard electrical power while simultaneously reducing acoustic signatures. This propulsion architecture is considered essential for sustaining the energy demands of next-generation combat systems, including advanced radar arrays and directed-energy weapons.

Weapons Loadout and Missile Defence

Among the most striking features reported is a planned loadout of up to 144 Vertical Launch System (VLS) cells, with additional midship slant launchers also reportedly under consideration. The air and missile defence architecture is expected to be layered, incorporating long-range surface-to-air missiles under Project Kusha, dedicated anti-ballistic missile systems reportedly capable of engaging threats at ranges of 250 to 350 kilometres, and Vertical Launch Short Range Surface-to-Air Missiles (VL-SRSAM) for point-defence duties.

On the offensive side, the vessel is expected to carry extended-range BrahMos missiles, long-range land attack cruise missiles (LR-LACM), SMART anti-submarine missile systems, and potentially the future BrahMos-II hypersonic missile once it becomes operational. The platform is also reportedly being designed with baseline provisions for 50–100 kW shipborne laser weapons to counter drone swarms and other low-cost aerial threats — an approach considered more economical than traditional missile-based intercepts.

Sensors, Stealth, and Automation

The sensor suite is equally ambitious. Project 18 is expected to be equipped with an indigenous S-band Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), which could reportedly provide surveillance coverage exceeding 500 kilometres — replacing the Israeli MF-STAR system currently in service on several Indian warships. The design is also expected to incorporate stealth-focused features, including a low-observable mast structure and advanced electronic warfare systems.

Automation is central to the programme's philosophy. Project 18 is expected to reduce crew requirements by an estimated 25 to 30 per cent compared to existing platforms, lowering long-term personnel and maintenance demands while improving operational efficiency.

Multi-Domain Command and Unmanned Systems

Beyond conventional warfighting, the vessel is envisioned as a multi-domain command hub capable of coordinating unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), unmanned surface vessels (USVs), and extra-large unmanned underwater vehicles (XLUUVs) — positioning it as a central node in future network-centric operations within carrier battle groups.

Production Plans and Industrial Partners

The Indian Navy is reportedly considering an initial production run of four to five vessels, with the possibility of expanding the programme to between 10 and 12 ships subject to operational requirements and budgetary considerations. Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) and Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) are reported to be the leading contenders for construction. An interim Project 15C programme — based on an upgraded Visakhapatnam-class hull — may also be pursued to sustain shipbuilding momentum while Project 18 matures through its design phases. Project 18 sits at the heart of the Indian Navy's broader transformation into a blue-water force capable of projecting power across the Indo-Pacific.