Source: ET
Context: India celebrated a historic milestone as three frontline naval platforms INS Nilgiri, INS Surat, and INS Vaghsheer — were commissioned into the Indian Navy.
About Commissioned Ships:
| Ship Name | Built By | Project Name | Features | Significance |
| INS Nilgiri | Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL), Mumbai, and Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata | Project 17A (Nilgiri-class stealth frigates) | – Multi-mission stealth frigate for “blue water” operations | First of seven frigates under Project 17A, ensuring versatile capability in anti-air, anti-surface, and anti-submarine warfare |
| – Equipped with supersonic surface-to-surface missiles, Medium Range Surface-to-Air Missiles (MRSAMs), and advanced close-in weapon systems | ||||
| INS Surat | Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL), Mumbai | Project 15B (Visakhapatnam-class stealth guided missile destroyers) | – India’s first AI-enabled warship | Fourth and final destroyer of Project 15B, enhancing India’s offensive and defensive naval capabilities |
| – Equipped with surface-to-air missiles, anti-ship missiles, and torpedoes | ||||
| – Powered by a Combined Gas and Gas (COGAG) propulsion system, achieving speeds exceeding 30 knots | ||||
| – Designed for “network-centric” warfare | ||||
| INS Vaghsheer | Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL), Mumbai | Project 75 (Kalvari-class submarines) | – Diesel-electric attack submarine based on the French Scorpene-class design | Sixth and final submarine under Project 75, reinforcing India’s underwater combat and intelligence-gathering capabilities |
| – Equipped with wire-guided torpedoes, anti-ship missiles, and advanced sonar systems | ||||
| – Features modular construction with future upgrade potential for Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) technology |
Commissioning together:
- Historic First: For the first time, a destroyer (INS Surat), a frigate (INS Nilgiri), and a submarine (INS Vaghsheer) were commissioned on the same day.
- “Made in India” Milestone: All three platforms were indigenously built, showcasing India’s shipbuilding prowess and commitment to Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India).
- Strategic Impact: The additions bolster India’s maritime defense, increase deterrence capabilities, and support its strategic influence in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
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