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PM Modi commissions three Indian Navy warships in Kolkata, boosting nation’s maritime strength

Statesman News Service

PM Modi commissions three Indian Navy warships in Kolkata, boosting nation’s maritime strength. (IANS)


Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday commissioned three indigenously designed and built naval platforms in Kolkata, marking a major step in India’s push towards self-reliance in defence manufacturing and strengthening the Indian Navy’s operational capabilities.

The three platforms: INS Dunagiri, an advanced stealth frigate; INS Sanshodhak, a Survey Vessel (Large); and INS Agray, an Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft, were inducted into the Indian Navy.

The commissioning of the frontline vessels is expected to enhance India’s maritime combat capabilities, underwater warfare readiness and maritime domain awareness.

Three ships, three strategic roles

Designed by the Indian Navy’s Warship Design Bureau and Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata, and constructed by GRSE, the three vessels represent critical areas of naval operations including surface warfare, hydrographic surveying and anti-submarine warfare.

Together, the platforms reflect the Navy’s approach towards capability development by strengthening blue-water operations, improving maritime surveillance and securing coastal waters against evolving threats.

  • INS Dunagiri: Stealth frigate with advanced firepower
INS Dunagiri is the fifth Project 17A stealth frigate and is equipped with advanced weapons and sensors.

The warship carries BrahMos surface-to-surface missiles and the Medium Range Surface-to-Air Missile system, significantly enhancing the Indian Navy’s combat capabilities.
  • INS Sanshodhak: Strengthening ocean surveillance
INS Sanshodhak, the fourth Survey Vessel (Large), has been designed for coastal and deep-water hydrographic surveys.

The vessel will support the collection of oceanographic and geophysical data for defence and civil applications.

It is equipped with advanced survey systems, including Autonomous Underwater Vehicles and Remotely Operated Vehicles, to strengthen underwater mapping and maritime information gathering.
  • INS Agray: Boost to anti-submarine warfare
INS Agray, the fourth vessel of the Arnala-class Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft programme, is designed for operations in littoral waters.

The platform is equipped with lightweight torpedoes, indigenous rocket launchers and shallow-water sonar systems to detect and engage underwater threats.

Indigenous shipbuilding gets a boost

The three platforms highlight the growing capabilities of India’s indigenous shipbuilding ecosystem, with indigenous content exceeding 75 per cent, according to a release.

Their construction involved extensive participation from Indian industry, including more than 200 MSMEs, generating direct and indirect employment.

The commissioning ceremony underlined the combined efforts of the Government of India, the Indian Navy, public sector shipyards, private industry and MSMEs in advancing the objectives of Aatmanirbhar Bharat and strengthening India’s maritime capabilities.

 

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