The Indian Navy has commissioned two new warships and a submarine in Mumbai, Maharashtra, marking a significant advancement in the country’s naval capabilities.
The three frontline naval combatants are Project 15B class destroyer INS Surat, Project 17A stealth frigate INS Nilgiri, and P75 Kalvari-class submarine INS Vaghsheer.
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This comes after the commissioning date was recently announced.
The platforms are part of the ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan’ or ‘Make in India’ initiative.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi commended the Indian Navy’s role in safeguarding lives and securing national and international cargo.
He also mentioned the expansion of the ‘Make in India’ initiative within the naval sector, noting the inclusion of 33 ships and seven submarines over the past decade—39 of which were constructed in Indian shipyards.
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By GlobalDataINS Surat, the final destroyer in the P15B project, has a 75% indigenous build and is outfitted with modern weapon-sensor systems and network-centric capabilities.
Meanwhile, INS Nilgiri, the lead vessel in the P17A project, includes advanced design work from the Indian Navy’s Warship Design Bureau, with features that enhance survivability, seakeeping, and stealth.
The sixth and last submarine of the P75 Scorpene project, INS Vaghsheer, represents a collaborative effort with France’s Naval Group and was officially transferred to the Indian Navy by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders earlier this month.
India Minister of Defence Rajnath Singh said: “Over 75% of the content of INS Surat and INS Nilgiri has been developed in India itself. Indigenous content is also increasing continuously in other platforms being manufactured within the country.”
India’s defence production now exceeds Rs1.25trn ($14.5bn), with exports to more than 100 countries.
Prime Minister Modi highlighted that 60 large ships currently under construction represent an investment of around Rs1.5trn, potentially generating an economic impact of Rs3trn and a six-fold employment multiplier effect.
He emphasised the contribution of domestic MSMEs in supplying parts for these ships, which not only supports direct shipbuilding employment but also creates additional jobs in ancillary industries.
India’s strengthened economic ties with ASEAN, Australia, Gulf countries, and African nations have been attributed to its strategic presence and capabilities in the Indian Ocean Region.
Modi also noted that the armed forces have identified more than 5,000 items that will be indigenously sourced rather than imported.
Additionally, the Prime Minister mentioned investments in defence manufacturing infrastructure, including the country’s largest helicopter factory in Karnataka and a new transport aircraft facility for the armed forces.
