- The commissioning of the vessels represents India’s increasing maritime might and the goal of the entire program is to improve the country’s strategic capabilities over the ensuing ten years.
- Some of the most recent missile systems, stealth technologies, radar, and sonar systems created in India are integrated into these state-of-the-art platforms.
- To maintain security and stability in the Indian Ocean area and beyond, India aims to become a self-reliant, strategically autonomous global power. These platforms are a component of that goal.
On January 15, 2025, at the navy Dockyard in Mumbai, Maharashtra, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi dedicated three frontline navy combatants—INS Surat, INS Nilgiri, and INS Vaghsheer—to the country. The occasion demonstrated India’s dedication to establishing an independent defence industry under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan and was a significant turning point for the country’s marine capabilities.
The Prime Minister underlined the importance of the day, which falls on Army Day, to highlight the solidarity of land and maritime defence forces. He praised the nation’s military’s valour and sacrifices, highlighting their joint responsibility for ensuring national security in all areas. He emphasized that this was the first time a destroyer, frigate, and submarine—all constructed domestically—were tri-commissioned. While the INS Surat is named after Gujarat’s ancient ports, the INS Nilgiri is named after the Chola dynasty’s maritime legacy. The sixth P75 submarine in the series is called INS Vaghsheer. These large-scale initiatives will put six submarines under Project 75 and seven stealth frigates under Project 17A into service.
It represents India’s increasing maritime might. The goal of the entire program is to improve the country’s strategic capabilities over the ensuing ten years. These projects are expected to cost ₹50,000 crores in total, demonstrating the government’s dedication to a strong naval infrastructure. PM emphasized India’s maritime history, pointing out that Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was instrumental in the establishment of the Navy. He added that India’s rise to prominence as a maritime power is reflected in the new platforms. He highlighted India’s proactive commitment to regional security through programs like SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) and the fact that it is widely acknowledged as a trustworthy and accountable partner, particularly in the Global South. With more than 80% of the world’s maritime trade passing through it and serving as a vital intersection for important sea lines of communication, the Indian Ocean Region is vital to global trade and security, the Prime Minister of India underlined. It also plays a significant role in attaining strategic energy security.
According to him, India’s active participation in the IOR demonstrates its dedication to preserving regional stability, thwarting new threats, and promoting economic development via improved maritime cooperation. He emphasized how important the Indian Navy is to maintaining secure travel, fighting terrorism, and stopping illicit operations like smuggling and narcotics trafficking. Through this naval operation, he notably highlighted the nation’s dedication to resources for environmental protection, logistics efficiency building, and international trust.
Technically, the recently introduced platforms represent impressive advancements in domestic defence production.
INS Surat
One of India’s most sophisticated warships is the Visakhapatnam-class destroyer INS Surat (P15B Guided Missile Destroyer). Built at Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) and designed by the Warship Design Bureau (WDB), it has a stealthy hull made of materials that absorb radar for increased survivability. For effective power generation, its Integrated Propulsion System (IPS) combines traditional engines with Kaveri gas turbines.
With its 32 Barak-8 surface-to-air missiles and 16 BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles, the destroyer has exceptional offensive and defensive capabilities. It features sophisticated electronic warfare (EW) equipment and is outfitted with MF-STAR radar and IRST system for tracking and stealth. For optimum performance, all ship systems are seamlessly integrated via the Integrated Platform Management System (IPMS).
INS Nilgiri
An extremely sophisticated asset for the Indian Navy, INS Nilgiri (P17A Stealth Frigate) is equipped with state-of-the-art radar, missile, and combat systems. With the use of composite materials, angular forms, and radar-absorbing coatings, the hull’s stealth technology lowers radar cross-section (RCS). Superior hydrodynamics are guaranteed by the ship’s hull, providing outstanding seakeeping and manoeuvrability in difficult circumstances.
It is powered by the Combined Diesel and Gas (CODAG) propulsion system. It can reach great speeds thanks to the gas turbines, and it uses fuel efficiently thanks to the diesel engines. Armed with 16 Barak-8 Surface-to-Air Missiles, INS Nilgiri offers strong anti-aircraft protection. Additionally, it includes 8 BrahMos missiles for anti-ship and surface-to-surface combat. The radar systems on board include MF-STAR for 360-degree cover, 3D AESA radar for the tracking of multi-targets, and Nishant radar for targeting. The Combat Management System (CMS) integrates all systems, which enables the smooth execution of network-centric warfare, and cooperative operations with other platforms, and it is indeed a very capable and advanced warship.
INS Vaghsheer
India’s increasing proficiency in submarine design and construction is demonstrated by INS Vaghsheer, the sixth and last submarine of the P75 Scorpene Project, which was constructed in collaboration with France’s Naval Group. The submarine has state-of-the-art undersea and stealth capabilities, and its hydrodynamic hull design reduces noise and detection.
With the use of a domestic Air-Independent Propulsion (AIP) system created by DRDO, INS Vaghsheer may remain underwater for extended periods, increasing its operational range and stealth. The submarine can fight surface vessels in stealth thanks to its Exocet SM39 anti-ship missiles, which are fired from torpedo tubes. Plans call for integrating BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles for both land and surface strikes. In addition, INS Vaghsheer has cutting-edge sonar technologies, such as bow and towed array sonar, which increase detection ranges and were created by DRDO’s NPOL. Its operating capabilities are further enhanced by its Integrated Platform Management System (IPMS), which guarantees effective control over propulsion, weaponry, and other systems.
Tremendous Boost to the Indian Navy
India’s increasing naval strength and proficiency in Indigenous defence technologies are exemplified by INS Surat, INS Nilgiri, and INS Vaghsheer. Some of the most recent missile systems, stealth technologies, radar, and sonar systems created in India are integrated into these state-of-the-art platforms. This demonstrates the nation’s progress toward defence industrial self-sufficiency. The incorporation of these cutting-edge technologies enhances India’s military prowess and strategic independence by guaranteeing its dominance in maritime warfare.
In addition to highlighting the more than 5,000 products and equipment that have been identified as being produced domestically, Shri Modi has consistently emphasized that defence indigenization is India’s top priority. He has listed the following significant accomplishments: The production of Tejas fighter planes and the construction of defence corridors in Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. These venues are used to discuss Indian shipbuilding, which has been essential to the development of next-generation aircraft carriers, such as INS Vikrant.
Shri Rajnath Singh reiterated India’s growing economic and strategic dominance in the Indian Ocean Region. According to him, the Ministry of Defence will keep updating the military using a balanced approach that includes both powerful, affordable weaponry and huge platforms. Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi, Chief of Naval Staff, also discussed the Indian Navy’s remarkable advancements and recognized the contribution of engineers, machinists, and contractors to the creation of these cutting-edge platforms. The government is still committed to improving maritime military capabilities and has plans to invest over ₹50,000 crores over ten years to add six submarines and seven stealth frigates. Developing strategic infrastructure: the Sonamarg Tunnel and Vadhavan Port are intended to fortify defences while also providing a strong economic base.
Conclusion
The commissioning of INS Surat, INS Nilgiri, and INS Vaghsheer solidifies India’s standing as a leading maritime power and highlights its technological superiority. To maintain security and stability in the Indian Ocean area and beyond, India aims to become a self-reliant, strategically autonomous global power. These platforms are a component of that goal.
Piyush Anand is a Biotechnology Engineering student at Chandigarh University. His primary interest lies in International Affairs, Defence and Strategy. Views expressed at the author’s own.
Balaji Subramanian