Prime Minister Narendra Modi introduced three new ships into the Indian Navy on January 15. These ships are called INS Surat, INS Nilgiri, and INS Vaghsheer. The event happened at the Naval Dockyard in Mumbai. These ships are very important because they will make India’s Navy stronger and help the country become more independent in making defense equipment.
PM Modi said that these ships show how India is becoming a leader in defense and working towards being self-reliant. He shared on social media that January 15 would be a special day for India’s naval power. The three ships were built at Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited in Mumbai, a place where many Indian warships are made. The government also mentioned that these ships have special accommodations for women officers and sailors, showing progress toward gender inclusion in combat roles.
INS Surat: A Symbol of Speed and Strength
The INS Surat is a guided-missile destroyer and is part of a special class of ships called Project 15B stealth destroyers. It is the last ship in this project and is even better than the earlier Kolkata-class destroyers. INS Surat is big, with a weight of 7,400 tons and a length of 164 meters. It has modern weapons like missiles and torpedoes and can use advanced sensors to detect enemies. Its engines are very powerful, allowing it to go as fast as 56 kilometers per hour.
This ship is also special because it is the first Indian warship to have artificial intelligence (AI). The AI helps make the ship more efficient in its operations. It is also the first warship named after a city in Gujarat, Surat. About 75% of the ship’s parts were made in India, which shows progress in making defense equipment locally. It can carry and operate different types of helicopters, such as Chetak, ALH, Sea King, and MH-60R, during the day or night.
INS Surat was built very quickly. Its construction started in November 2019, and it was launched in May 2022. The trials, or tests, of the ship began in June 2024 and were completed in just six months, which is a record time. It is the fastest indigenous destroyer India has ever built.
INS Nilgiri: India’s First P17A Stealth Frigate
INS Nilgiri is a frontline warship built entirely in India and is the first ship under the Project 17A Stealth Frigate series. It was designed by the Indian Navy’s Warship Design Bureau, which gave it advanced features like better stealth (hiding from enemies), survivability (staying safe during battles), and seakeeping (handling rough seas).
The ship is large, with a weight of 6,670 tons. It has powerful weapons, including eight BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles, a system to launch surface-to-air missiles, a 76-millimeter gun, and an AK-630 close-in weapon system. These features allow it to fight against enemy submarines, warships, anti-ship missiles, and fighter planes.
INS Nilgiri is equipped with the MF-STAR radar, which helps detect and track enemies. Like INS Surat, it can operate helicopters like the MH-60R Seahawks and has advanced systems like the Rail-Less Helicopter Traversing System and Visual Aid and Landing System. These systems make it easy to manage helicopter operations both during the day and at night.
The construction of INS Nilgiri began on December 28, 2017, and the ship was launched into the water on September 28, 2019. Its first sea trials took place in August. INS Nilgiri can operate in deep-sea environments (known as blue water) and can handle both traditional and modern threats to protect India’s maritime interests.
What makes INS Nilgiri special is that it can work independently without needing support from other ships. It can also lead a group of naval ships as the flagship of a task force. This makes it one of the finest ships in its category worldwide.
INS Vaghsheer: The Silent Scorpene-Class Submarine
INS Vaghsheer is a diesel-electric submarine and the sixth and final submarine in the Scorpene-class series under the Kalvari-class Project 75. This project is part of India’s larger plan, called Project-75 (India), to build 18 conventional submarines and six nuclear-powered submarines for the Navy.
INS Vaghsheer is one of the quietest and most flexible submarines in the world. It weighs 1,565 tons and can perform many tasks, such as fighting enemy ships and submarines, collecting intelligence, keeping an area under watch, and carrying out special operations.
It is equipped with powerful weapons, including wire-guided torpedoes, anti-ship missiles, and advanced sonar systems to detect and track enemies underwater. The submarine is designed with modular construction, which means it can be upgraded in the future, such as adding Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) technology to help it stay underwater for longer periods.
INS Vaghsheer has advanced stealth features. Its special shape helps reduce noise and makes it harder to detect using magnetic sensors. This makes it a valuable asset for India’s Navy in handling both combat and surveillance missions.
What Experts Say?
Experts view this event as a major milestone for India’s maritime capabilities. For the first time, two warships and a submarine were commissioned together, showcasing India’s progress in shipbuilding.
According to Times Now, this reflects a significant improvement in the efficiency of state-run shipyards like Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL), which now deliver world-class destroyers and submarines. The commissioning highlights India’s ability to address geopolitical challenges, reduce reliance on foreign suppliers, and position itself as a key maritime power.
The Financial Express emphasized that these vessels symbolize India’s growing maritime influence and its commitment to safeguarding the Indian Ocean and Indo-Pacific regions. In the face of rising tensions, particularly with China, these ships enhance India’s ability to ensure freedom of navigation and counter threats.
The article also noted that the vessels represent India’s shift towards self-sufficiency in defense manufacturing. Built with Indian technology, they align with the ‘Make in India’ initiative, encouraging innovation and industrial growth.
This commissioning is seen as a transformative moment, strengthening India’s naval capabilities while reflecting its readiness to defend its interests and ensure peace in the region. It underscores the Navy’s growing strength and long-term impact on India’s maritime future.
What's Hot
INS Surat, Nilgiri, Vaghsheer: Powering Indian Navy with Make in India
Prime Minister Narendra Modi introduced three new ships into the Indian Navy on January 15. These ships are called INS Surat, INS Nilgiri, and INS Vaghsheer.
Related Posts
Add A Comment