New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Maharashtra on Wednesday. During his visit, he will dedicate three warships of Indian Navy – INS Surat, INS Nilgiri and INS Vagsheer submarine – at Naval Dockyard in Mumbai. The primary objective is to bolster India’s maritime defence. In a post on X, he stated, “Tomorrow, 15th January, is going to be a special day as far as our naval capacities are concerned. The commissioning of three frontline naval combatants will strengthen our efforts towards being a global leader in defence and augment our quest towards self-reliance.”
Tomorrow, 15th January, is going to be a special day as far as our naval capacities are concerned. The commissioning of three frontline naval combatants will strengthen our efforts towards being a global leader in defence and augment our quest towards self-reliance. https://t.co/zhrVjbgA2T
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 14, 2025
The induction of INS Surat, INS Nilgiri and INS Vagsheer will significantly enhance the combat capability of the Indian Navy. These warships are also exemplary achievements in indigenous shipbuilding. All three have been designed and constructed at Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) in Mumbai. INS Surat is a stealth-guided missile destroyer, INS Nilgiri is the first stealth frigate under Project 17A and INS Vagsheer is a Scorpene-class submarine.
INS Surat: A stealth-guided missile destroyer
INS Surat is the fourth and final stealth-guided missile destroyer constructed under Project 15B of Indian Navy. It incorporates cutting-edge technologies and is capable of precise strikes against adversaries. The keel of INS Surat was laid on November 7, 2019 and it was launched on May 17, 2022. It is the fastest indigenous destroyer built by Indian Navy to date.
Key features of INS Surat
- Displacement: 7,400 tonnes
- Length: 164 meters
- Stealth technology: Advanced radar systems make it difficult for enemies to detect.
- Weapon systems: Equipped with surface-to-surface and surface-to-air missiles, torpedoes, and other advanced weapons.
Technical capabilities of INS Surat
- Powered by a ‘Combined Gas and Gas’ (COGAG) propulsion system, featuring four gas turbines.
- Achieved a speed of 30 knots (approximately 56 km/h) during sea trials.
INS Nilgiri: King of blue water operations
INS Nilgiri is the first stealth frigate constructed under Project 17A of the Indian Navy. It is designed with modern technologies to enhance maritime security. The keel was laid on December 28, 2017, and it was launched on September 28, 2019. Sea trials commenced in August 2024 and the ship successfully passed all tests.
Key features of INS Nilgiri
- Displacement: 6,670 tonnes
- Length: 149 meters
- Stealth design: Engineered to minimize radar signature.
- Operations: Built for blue-water missions and equipped to counter both conventional and unconventional threats.
Technical capabilities
- Armed with supersonic surface-to-surface missiles and medium-range surface-to-air missiles.
- Features rapid-fire close-in weapon systems.
- Equipped with an Integrated Platform Management System (IPMS) for enhanced operational control.
INS Vagsheer: Silent guardian of seas
INS Vagsheer is the sixth and final diesel-electric submarine of the Indian Navy’s Scorpene-class Project 75. Known for its stealth and advanced technology, it is built using modular construction techniques, ensuring easier future upgrades. The submarine is designed to safeguard India’s maritime interests.
Features of INS Vagsheer
- Length: 67 meters
- Weight: 1,550 tonnes
- Stealth operations: Designed for silent and covert missions in enemy waters.
- Armament: Equipped with wire-guided torpedoes, anti-ship missiles, and advanced sonar systems.
Technical capabilities
- Capable of neutralizing surface and underwater threats.
- Designed to accommodate future Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) technology upgrades.
Both INS Surat and INS Nilgiri are equipped with special residential facilities for women officers and sailors, reflecting the Navy’s commitment to promoting gender inclusion.
The addition of these advanced platforms will greatly enhance the Indian Navy’s ability to address traditional and modern threats.
