New Delhi to commission three new warships in one day

The South Asian country is ramping up its domestic defense shipbuilding under Narendra Modi’s Make in India initiative

The Indian Navy is set to commission three major combat platforms, including two warships and a submarine, on January 15, thus enhancing its operational capabilities and combat readiness in the Indian Ocean region. All three warships were built in Indian shipyards, according to the Navy. 

The ships, which will be inaugurated in Mumbai, India’s financial hub and a key defense shipbuilding location, consist of the INS Nilgiri, the flagship of Project 17A, a series of seven advanced stealth frigates; the INS Surat, the fourth and final destroyer of the Project 15B class; and the Vagsheer, the sixth and final Scorpene-class submarine constructed under India’s Project 75, envisioned in 1997 to create a submarine fleet for the Indian Navy.  

The Nilgiri represents a significant technological leap over the Shivalik-class frigates, boasting advanced stealth capabilities and reduced radar signatures, according to Indian media reports. The Surat serves as a follow-on class to the Kolkata-class (Project 15A) destroyers. The vessels boast enhancements in both design and operational capabilities and are outfitted with the latest sensors and weapon systems, developed primarily in India or through strategic partnerships with global partners.  

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Both the Surat and Nilgiri are outfitted with advanced aviation facilities that allow them to operate a range of helicopters, including the newly inducted MH-60R, during both day and night missions. Their design incorporates a rail-less helicopter traversing system and an advanced visual aid and landing system, which together facilitate efficient operations in all weather conditions. 

The Vagsheer, the last of the six French Scorpene-class submarines built in India under a $3 billion project jointly with the French Naval Group was ordered in 2005 and launched at Mazagon Dock Limited, a state-owned shipyard in Mumbai, in April 2022. It was expected to be commissioned by late 2023, but was reportedly delayed due to challenges with integrating the indigenous equipment.

The three new ships all successfully completed rigorous trials and proved their readiness for deployment. The Navy has also approved the construction of two nuclear-powered submarines to be designed and constructed indigenously.  

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Additionally, this past December, the Indian Navy’s fleet was strengthened by the addition of a Russia-built warship, the INS Tushil, which is currently sailing from Kaliningrad to India and is expected to arrive in mid-February. The Tushil, which will carry BrahMos supersonic missiles and is being developed jointly by India and Russia, will join the Indian Navy’s Western Fleet. India already has six frigates of this Talwar class in service – three built in the Baltiysky shipyard in St. Petersburg and three in Kaliningrad.