India’s Naval Power Strengthened: INS Nilgiri, INS Surat, and INS Vaghsheer Join Fleet
The Indian Navy marked a significant milestone on Wednesday with the commissioning of three advanced warships—INS Nilgiri, INS Surat, and INS Vaghsheer—at the Naval Dockyard in Mumbai. These ships add new capabilities to the Indian Navy’s fleet, each representing a major achievement in India’s defense sector.
INS Nilgiri: The Stealth Frigate INS Nilgiri, the first ship in the Project 17A stealth frigate class, is a vital addition to India’s naval defense. It is equipped to handle conventional and non-conventional threats across the “blue water” environment. Built by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) and Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE), INS Nilgiri boasts advanced weaponry, including surface-to-surface missiles, medium-range surface-to-air missiles (MRSAM), and rapid-fire close-in weapon systems. This ship is part of a seven-frigate series under Project 17A designed for anti-surface, anti-air, and anti-submarine warfare.
INS Surat: AI-Enabled Destroyer INS Surat, the fourth ship in the Project 15B stealth destroyer series, stands as the first artificial intelligence-enabled warship in the Indian Navy. This advanced destroyer is equipped with a range of modern sensors, communication systems, and weapons, including surface-to-air and anti-ship missiles. It can reach speeds of over 30 knots and plays a vital role in network-centric warfare, with AI technologies aimed at enhancing operational efficiency.
INS Vaghsheer: Stealth Submarine INS Vaghsheer, the final submarine in the Scorpene-class Kalvari project, strengthens India’s submarine fleet. This diesel-electric submarine is designed for anti-surface and anti-submarine warfare and is among the quietest in its class. INS Vaghsheer is armed with torpedoes and anti-ship missiles, and it features advanced sonar systems. The class will also be upgraded with Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) technology starting in 2026.
A Historic Moment for the Indian Navy Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who attended the commissioning ceremony, hailed this achievement as a moment of pride for India, noting that the three ships— a destroyer, a frigate, and a submarine— were all built in India. These advancements, Modi said, will help India assert its strategic influence in the Indian Ocean Region and beyond, reinforcing its position as a key maritime player globally.
The commissioning of these ships is a testament to India’s growing naval power, and their addition to the fleet is expected to enhance the country’s defense capabilities while boosting its standing on the global stage.