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INS Nilgiri, INS Surat, and INS Vaghsheer Commissioned
Context:
The Indian Navy received three major additions to its fleet as INS Nilgiri, INS Surat, and INS Vaghsheer were officially commissioned at the Naval Dockyard in Mumbai on 15th January.
More on News:
These frontline combatants—each with advanced capabilities—represent a significant leap in India’s naval strength, enhancing its deterrence capabilities and strategic influence across the Indian Ocean Region and beyond.
INS Nilgiri: Stealth Frigate with Multi-Mission Capabilities
- Type: Stealth frigate, part of Project 17A, a follow-on to the Shivalik class.
- Capabilities: A multi-mission frigate designed for blue water operations is capable of anti-surface, anti-air, and anti-submarine warfare.
- Key Features: Equipped with a supersonic surface-to-surface missile system, medium-range surface-to-air Missiles (MRSAM), a 76mm upgraded gun, and rapid-fire close-in weapon systems.
- Construction: Built by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd (MDL), Mumbai, and Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata. The ship underwent comprehensive trials before its delivery in December 2024.
- Other Ships in Class: Six more ships under Project 17A are in various stages of construction.
INS Surat: The AI-Powered Guided Missile Destroyer
- Type: Stealth-guided missile destroyer, part of Project 15B.
- Significance: The first AI-enabled warship of the Indian Navy, incorporating artificial intelligence solutions for operational efficiency.
- Key Features: Equipped with modern weapons and sensors, including surface-to-air missiles, anti-ship missiles, and torpedoes. It has a displacement of 7,400 tonnes and a length of 164 meters.
- Speed: Capable of speeds exceeding 30 knots (56 km/h) with a Combined Gas and Gas (COGAG) propulsion system.
- Role: Designed for high-speed, long-endurance operations, playing a key role in offensive naval operations.
INS Vaghsheer: Stealth Submarine of the Kalvari Class
- Type: Stealth submarine, part of the Kalvari-class (Project 75).
- Design: Based on the Scorpene-class submarine, developed by Naval Group and Navantia.
- Capabilities: Primarily an attack submarine with roles in anti-surface warfare, anti-submarine warfare, intelligence gathering, and special operations. It features advanced sonar systems, wire-guided torpedoes, and anti-ship missiles.
- Technology: Incorporates modular construction for future upgrades, including Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) systems, expected to enhance submerged endurance from 2026.
- Significance: Represents one of the most silent and versatile diesel-electric submarines globally.
Strategic Significance:
- Indigenous Platforms: All three ships are made in India, reflecting the country’s growing defence manufacturing capabilities.
- Role in Maritime Security: These additions significantly enhance India’s naval strength, making the Navy a formidable deterrent against regional threats and boosting India’s strategic maritime influence, particularly in the Indian Ocean Region.
- Economic and Military Importance: The commissioning strengthens both military readiness and economic security, with the Indian Navy playing a pivotal role in securing global maritime trade and ensuring regional stability.
- Prime Minister’s Statement: Emphasised India’s growing role as a first responder in the Indian Ocean Region and the trust in the Indian Navy’s capabilities for saving lives and securing international cargo.
