Prime Minister Narendra Modi will commission three indigenously built Indian Navy platforms in Kolkata tomorrow, marking a significant milestone in India’s naval modernisation drive.

The commissioning ceremony will include INS Dunagiri, INS Sanshodhak and INS Agray, all designed by the Navy’s Warship Design Bureau and constructed by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers.

Their induction underscores India’s growing capacity to design and build advanced warships domestically, reducing reliance on foreign suppliers and strengthening maritime self-reliance.

INS Dunagiri, a Project 17A stealth frigate, represents the cutting edge of indigenous naval engineering. Armed with BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles and medium-range air defence systems, the vessel is equipped to conduct multi-role combat operations in the Indo-Pacific.

Its stealth features, advanced sensors and network-centric warfare capabilities make it a formidable addition to the Navy’s frontline fleet. The ship is part of the Nilgiri-class series, which is central to India’s plan to expand its blue-water capabilities and counterbalance the growing presence of the Chinese Navy in the Indian Ocean Region.

INS Sanshodhak, a survey vessel, has been designed for coastal and deep-water hydrographic operations. It will play a critical role in seabed mapping, underwater exploration and maritime domain awareness. Such vessels are essential for safe navigation, submarine operations and the planning of naval deployments. The Sanshodhak enhances India’s ability to conduct hydrographic surveys independently, reducing dependence on foreign data and strengthening strategic autonomy in maritime charting.

INS Agray, an anti-submarine warfare craft, is tailored for coastal defence against hostile submarines. Equipped with torpedoes, rocket launchers and advanced sonar systems, it is designed to detect, track and neutralise underwater threats in shallow waters.

The vessel’s induction will significantly boost India’s coastal security architecture, particularly in light of increasing submarine activity by regional adversaries. Its shallow-water design makes it highly effective in littoral zones, where conventional deep-water platforms are less efficient.

The Navy has emphasised that these platforms incorporate more than 75% indigenous content, involving contributions from over 200 micro, small and medium enterprises. This reflects the success of India’s defence industrial base and the government’s push under the ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative. 

The participation of MSMEs highlights the creation of a robust ecosystem for naval shipbuilding, ensuring that technological expertise and economic benefits are widely distributed across the domestic industry.

The commissioning of these vessels is part of India’s long-term vision to expand its naval fleet to 200 warships and submarines by 2035. With the Navy currently inducting a new platform approximately every 40 days, the pace of modernisation is accelerating. These additions will enhance India’s maritime footprint, strengthen deterrence in the Indian Ocean Region and reinforce its position as a net security provider in the wider Indo-Pacific.

The ceremony in Kolkata will not only showcase India’s technological achievements but also send a strong strategic message about its commitment to maritime security.

By commissioning these platforms, Prime Minister Modi will highlight the synergy between indigenous innovation, industrial growth and national defence preparedness.

Agencies