Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday heralded a historic moment in India’s maritime history as he presided over the commissioning of three naval warships at the Mumbai dockyard – INS Vaghsheer (a ‘hunter-killer’ submarine), INS Surat (a missile destroyer), and INS Nilgiri (a stealth frigate). This marked the first-ever tri-commissioning of a destroyer, frigate, and submarine, all built indigenously.
“It is for the first time that the tri-commissioning of a destroyer, frigate and submarine was being done,” said Modi.
The Prime Minister underscored the pride associated with this achievement, noting that it highlights the success of the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative, which aims to make India self-reliant. “We should strive to become a global partner in securing the seas from drugs, weapons, and terrorism, making them safe and prosperous,” he said. He emphasized India’s growing status as a maritime power and a reliable, responsible global partner.
PM Modi highlighted India’s commitment to protecting territorial waters, ensuring freedom of navigation, and securing trade routes. “India is playing a significant role in shaping global security, economy, and geopolitics,” he added.
He also pointed out India’s emergence as the “first responder” in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) and noted the remarkable progress in naval capabilities over the past decade. In the last 10 years, 33 ships and seven submarines have been inducted into the Navy, with 39 out of 40 naval vessels built domestically. This includes flagship platforms like the INS Vikrant aircraft carrier and nuclear submarines such as INS Arihant and INS Arighaat. India’s defence production has surpassed Rs 1.25 lakh crore, with defence exports reaching over 100 countries. Currently, 60 large ships valued at approximately Rs 1.5 lakh crore are under construction in India.
The commissioning of three frontline naval combatants underscores India's unwavering commitment to building a robust and self-reliant defence sector. Watch LIVE from Mumbai. https://t.co/d1fy14qcrT
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 15, 2025
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh described the event as a “historic milestone” that underscores India’s growing strength in the IOR. He highlighted the strategic and economic importance of the region and reiterated the government’s focus on indigenization in defence manufacturing. “Over 75% of the content in INS Surat and INS Nilgiri is indigenously developed, and this trend is steadily increasing across other platforms,” he said.
Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi expressed confidence that the newly commissioned warships would enhance the Navy’s capabilities, making it more effective in safeguarding India’s maritime interests.
The New Warships
INS Nilgiri: Stealth Frigate
INS Nilgiri, the lead ship of the Project 17A stealth frigate class, represents a significant leap over its predecessor, the Shivalik-class frigates. Designed by the Indian Navy’s Warship Design Bureau and built at Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL), it features advanced survivability, seakeeping, and stealth capabilities. Its modern aviation facilities enable it to operate various helicopters, including the newly inducted MH-60R.
INS Surat: Stealth Destroyer
INS Surat, the fourth and final vessel of the Project 15B stealth destroyer class, builds upon the Kolkata-class destroyers with enhanced design and capabilities. Also designed by the Warship Design Bureau and constructed at MDL, it serves as a critical addition to the Navy’s surface fleet.
INS Vaghsheer: Hunter-Killer Submarine
INS Vaghsheer, the sixth and final submarine of the Scorpene-class under Project 75, is a diesel-electric submarine built for versatile roles such as anti-surface warfare, anti-submarine warfare, and intelligence gathering. It features modular construction, allowing for future upgrades like air-independent propulsion technology.
The tri-commissioning of INS Vaghsheer, INS Surat, and INS Nilgiri is a testament to India’s maritime ambitions and indigenization efforts. With cutting-edge technology and indigenous content, these platforms reinforce India’s position as a major maritime power and a reliable partner in ensuring global security and prosperity.
Team BharatShakti
