New Delhi: Giving further boost to its maritime capabilities, the Indian Navy is set to induct two advanced warships along with the submarine. Next month, the Indian Navy will commission three major platforms – the guided-missile destroyer INS Surat, the stealth frigate INS Nilgiri, and the diesel-electric submarine INS Vagsheer.
Designed for diverse combat roles, these state-of-the-art platforms will reinforce India’s presence in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), marking a strategic move to counterbalance China’s increasing naval presence.
With focus on securing its economic and security interests, India is currently building 60 vessels to modernise its fleet and maintain strategic dominance. The additions are part of a larger modernisation push, which includes indigenous projects and international collaborations, reflecting India’s focus on bolstering domestic defence production while addressing immediate operational requirements.
Built under Project 15B by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd (MDL), INS Surat is a 7,400-tonne guided-missile destroyer designed to deliver a formidable punch. Armed with BRAHMOS supersonic cruise missiles, Barak-8 surface-to-air missiles, and advanced anti-submarine weapons like torpedoes and rocket launchers, INS Surat is the Navy’s first AI-enabled warship. With a range of 4,000 nautical miles and an indigenous content of 72%, the destroyer exemplifies India’s commitment to building technologically advanced and self-reliant defence systems.
As the first ship of the Project 17A class of stealth frigates, INS Nilgiri showcases advanced design elements like radar-transparent fittings and hull shaping to evade enemy detection. Constructed at MDL, this 6,670-tonne vessel is equipped with cutting-edge weapons and sensors to address threats from enemy submarines, ships, and aircraft. The frigate, designed to operate independently or as part of a naval task force, reflects India’s growing emphasis on flexibility and survivability in maritime operations.
The final Kalvari-class submarine under Project-75, INS Vagsheer built in collaboration with French naval defence companies is equipped with advanced stealth capabilities. The 1,600-tonne diesel-electric submarine can operate in all theatres of warfare. The addition of INS Vagsheer will help address a pressing gap in India’s underwater combat capabilities, as the submarine fleet has reduced to 16 from 21 in the 1980s. Designed to function in diverse roles, it represents a critical step in in boosting the Navy’s overall strength beneath the surface.
India’s modernisation efforts include induction of 31 more warships, including next-generation frigates, corvettes, and stealth submarines. Among the vessels under construction is INS Tushil, a Russian-built frigate expected to arrive in India after traversing multiple seas. Another Russian frigate, Tamal, is slated for delivery next year. The Indian Navy, with its current strength of over 130 ships, aims to reach a fleet size of 155-160 vessels by 2030. However, India’s efforts is hindered by the slow pace of domestic shipbuilding and the progressive decommissioning of ageing ships. Fixing this, remains a challenge.
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