Navy gets 3 ‘Made in India’ combatants Destroyer, frigate, submarine commissioned together for the first time: PM Modi

 

 

PRIME MINISTER Narendra Modi on Wednesday dedicated three “Made in India” frontline naval combatants INS Surat, INS Nilgiri and INS Vaghsheer to the nation, saying that this is happening for the first time that a destroyer, frigate and submarine, all three are being commissioned together into the Indian Navy. Addressing the event, PM Modi while highlighting the transcending maritime security of the nation said that today India is being recognised as a ‘reliable’ and ‘responsible’ country in the Global South. INS Nilgiri, the lead ship of the Project 17A stealth frigate class, represents a significant advancement over the Shivalik-class frigates. Designed by the Indian Navy’s Warship Design Bureau and built at the Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL), it incorporates advanced features for enhanced survivability, seakeeping and stealth, reflecting the next generation of indigenous frigates. It features advanced stealth technology and reduced radar signatures. It is equipped with modern aviation facilities and can operate multiple helicopter types, including the newly inducted MH-60R. INS Surat, the fourth and final vessel of the Project 15B stealth destroyer class, is a follow-on to the Kolkata-class destroyers.

 

It incorporates improvements in design and capability, making it a critical addition to the Navy’s surface fleet. Like INS Nilgiri, it has also been designed by the Warship Design Bureau and constructed at the MDL. INS Vaghsheer is the sixth and final submarine under the Scorpene-class Project 75. It is a diesel-electric submarine designed for multiple roles, including anti-surface warfare, anti-submarine warfare, and intelligence gathering. It features modular construction, enabling future upgrades such as air independent propulsion technology. Speaking after the commissioning of three naval warships here, Modi said India has always supported an open, secure, inclusive and prosperous Indo-Pacific region. A destroyer,afrigate and a submarine were commissioned together for the first time onWednesday, he noted, adding that all the three are ‘Made in India’.

 

The ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative has made the country strong and self-reliant, the Prime Minister said. “We should become a global partner in securing the sea from drugs, weapons and terrorism and make it safe and prosperous. India is becoming a major maritime power and is being recognised as a reliable and responsible partner,” he said. In the Indian Ocean region, India has emerged as the“first responder”, thePrimeMinister noted.ModisaidIndiais going to play a major role in giving a direction to the global security, economy and geopolitical dynamics. ‘It is important to protect the territorialwaters, freedom ofnavigation,andsecure trade supply lines and sea routes,’ he said.