India’s Navy Gets Stronger: INS Surat, INS Nilgiri, and INS Vaghsheer Added to the Fleet

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has commissioned three ships – INS Surat, INS Nilgiri and INS Vaghsheer — into service at the Naval Dockyard in Mumbai.

Speaking at the event, PM Modi emphasized on the importance of these ships saying that the frontline naval combatants will strengthen India’s efforts towards being a global leader in defence and augment its quest towards self-reliance.

INS Surat: India’s Most Advanced Destroyer

The commissioning of three big navy combatants has been a crucial step toward achieving India's goal of becoming a global leader in maritime security and defense production. The fourth and last vessel in the P15B Guided Missile Destroyer Project, INS Surat, is one of the biggest and most advanced destroyers in the world. With 75 percent Indigenous content, it has cutting-edge network-centric capabilities and weapon-sensor bundles. It is the first warship named after a Gujarati city.

It is equipped with cutting-edge sensors and armaments, such as torpedoes, anti-ship missiles, and surface-to-air missiles. Additionally, INS Surat will be the first AI-enabled battleship in the Indian Navy. Its developed in-country Al significantly increases its operational efficiency.

INS Nilgiri: Equipped with BrahMos Missile

The first vessel of the P17A Stealth Frigate Project, INS Nilgiri, has been developed by the Indian Navy's Warship Design Bureau. This ship boasts cutting-edge technology for improved stealth, seakeeping, and survivability, mirroring the next-generation indigenous frigates.

The modern weapons and systems aboard INS Nilgiri include an AK-630 close-in weapon system, a 76-millimeter gun, a vertical launch system for surface-to-air missiles, and eight BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles.

It can engage in combat with enemy fighter planes, surface warships, anti-ship missiles, and submarines.

INS Vaghsheer: Quietest Submarine in India’s Fleet

Constructed in partnership with the French Naval Group, INS Vaghsheer is the sixth and last submarine of the P75 Scorpene Project and reflects India's increasing proficiency in submarine building.

INS Vaghsheer is a diesel-electric submarine, known for being one of the quietest and most versatile of its kind globally.

It can handle various missions, such as anti-surface and anti-submarine warfare, intelligence gathering, area surveillance, and special operations.

The submarine is equipped with wire-guided torpedoes, anti-ship missiles, and advanced sonar systems.

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