[3][4][5] In December 2023, the Vice Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Sanjay Jasjit Singh revealed that a class of advanced Next Generation Destroyers (NGD) or Project 18 destroyers is being designed by the Warship Design Bureau (WDB).

The leading contenders for the deal were Mazagon Dockyard Limited (MDL) and Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE).

Reports also suggested that the ships will feature an indigenous S-band primary fire control radar developed by DRDO.

This will replace EL/M-2248 MF-STAR radars used on previous ships like Kolkata-class and Visakhapatnam-class destroyer.

They will also feature advanced indigenous weapon systems and an Integrated electric propulsion (IEP).