PTI

New Delhi, Mar 17: To bolster the Navy's combat capability, the government has approved building of four new power-packed destroyer warships. 

Mumbai-based Mazagon Docks Limited (MDL) would soon get the "follow-on orders" for building the new destroyers of the 'Kolkata' class, top Navy sources said here today.

"The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) has last month given in-principle approval to the Navy's proposal for construction of four new Kolkata class destroyers," they said.

The construction of the sophisticated ships under "Project 15B" would begin soon after the MDL completes building of the first three destroyers of the Kolkata class under "Project 15A".

These would be indigenous combat vessels built with advanced stealth features and would have land attack capabilities.

"In all, the Navy proposes to have seven Kolkata class destroyers," the sources said.

Currently, the Navy has three Delhi class and five Rajput class destroyers among its fleet strength of about 140 warships that are in service. The Kolkata class destroyers are expected to join the Navy one each every year beginning with 2010.