The Indian Navy is preparing for a rare and significant milestone later this week as three frontline vessels, INS Dunagiri, INS Agray and INS Sanshodhak, are set to be commissioned together in Kolkata. The event is expected to underline India’s ongoing naval modernisation drive, with the three platforms strengthening capabilities across surface warfare, anti-submarine operations and hydrographic surveying.
According to reports, the commissioning ceremony is likely to be attended by a senior Union government dignitary and is expected to coincide with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s scheduled visit to Kolkata.
The upcoming ceremony will be only the second such occasion in recent years when three major naval platforms are commissioned simultaneously.
The previous instance took place in January last year at Mumbai’s Naval Dockyard, where PM Modi commissioned destroyer INS Surat, frigate INS Nilgiri and submarine INS Vaghsheer together.
INS Dunagiri strengthens frontline combat fleet
INS Dunagiri is the fifth Project 17A frigate and the second vessel of its class constructed by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE).
The warship is equipped with BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles, surface-to-air missiles and close-in weapon systems. It operates using a Combined Diesel or Gas (CODOG) propulsion system and features an Integrated Platform Management System.
The vessel was delivered in 80 months, an improvement over the 93 months taken to build the lead ship of the class, INS Nilgiri.
Two additional Project 17A frigates, INS Mahendragiri and INS Vindhyagiri, are yet to enter service.
INS Agray enhances anti-submarine warfare capability
INS Agray is the fifth vessel under the 16-ship Arnala-class Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC) programme approved in 2013.
Designed for operations in littoral waters, the platform carries lightweight torpedoes, indigenous anti-submarine rocket launchers and advanced sonar systems.
The vessel has been specifically developed for submarine-hunting missions in shallow coastal waters, a capability that gains importance as the Pakistan Navy continues expanding its submarine fleet, including the induction of Hangor-class submarines.
INS Sanshodhak completes survey ship programme
INS Sanshodhak is the fourth and final vessel under the Sandhayak-class survey ship programme.
The 110-metre-long ship displaces around 3,300 tonnes and is fitted with Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs), Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) and advanced hydrographic survey equipment used for seabed mapping and navigational charting.
The vessel is expected to play a key role in hydrographic operations and maritime navigation support.
Boost to maritime readiness
With the induction of INS Dunagiri, INS Agray and INS Sanshodhak, the Indian Navy is set to significantly expand its operational capabilities across multiple domains.
The three vessels are expected to strengthen India’s maritime security architecture while enhancing readiness in surface combat, underwater warfare and hydrographic survey missions.