Indian Navy makes a leap forward as two warships and submarine join the fleet in a ‘historic’ ceremony

The Indian Navy has held a commissioning ceremony for three new naval combatants: INS Surat, the fourth and final P15B guided-missile destroyer; INS Nilgiri, the first P17 stealth frigate; and INS Vaghsheer, the sixth submarine of the P75 project (Scorpene/Kalvari class).

As disclosed, the ceremony took place at the Naval Dockyard in Mumbai, Maharashtra, on January 15, 2025. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the 15th of January is commemorated as Army Day and added that the government has taken a major step towards empowering the 21st-century Indian Navy.

The Prime Minister highlighted that “it is for the first time that the tri-commissioning of a destroyer, frigate, and submarine is being done. “ He emphasized that all three frontline platforms were made in India and spoke about the importance of protecting territorial waters, ensuring freedom of navigation, and securing trade supply lines and sea routes for economic progress and energy security. Modi further stressed the need to safeguard the region from terrorism, arms, and drug trafficking. 

The Prime Minister remarked that 60 large ships are currently under construction in the country while 33 ships and seven submarines joined the Indian Navy in the last decade, with 39 out of 40 naval vessels being built in Indian shipyards. 

Speaking on the occasion, Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh, India’s Minister of Defense, described the commissioning of INS Surat, INS Nilgiri and INS Vaghsheer as ‘historic’ and ‘a testimony’ to the growing strength of not just the Indian Navy, but the country as a whole in the Indian Ocean Region.

“Over 75% of the content of INS Surat and INS Nilgiri has been developed in India itself. Indigenous content is also increasing continuously in other platforms being manufactured within the country,” he added.

The commissioning of three major naval combatants marks ‘a significant leap forward’ in realizing India’s vision boosting defence manufacturing and maritime security.

INS Surat, the final ship of the P15B guided missile destroyer project, ranks among “the largest and most sophisticated destroyers in the world”, according to the navy. Built by local shipbuilder Mazagon Dock Limited (MDL), it has an indigenous content of 75% and is equipped with weapon-sensor packages and advanced network-centric capabilities.

The third Project 15B destroyer, INS Imphal, was commissioned into the navy in December 2023.

Meanwhile, INS Nilgiri, the first ship of the P17A stealth frigate project, has been designed by the Indian Navy’s Warship Design Bureau. The P17A frigates are a follow-on of the P17 frigates (Shivalik-class) with improved stealth features, advanced weapons and sensors, and platform management systems.

Under the P17A program, there are a total of seven ships, with four frigates being built at MDL and three at Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Limited (GRSE).

INS Vaghsheer, the new Project 75 submarine, was built by MDL and is based on the Naval Group’s Scorpene design. Launched on 20 April 2022, the submarine has completed successful sea trials and now joins its sister vessels INS Kalvari, INS Khanderi, INS Karanj, INS Vela and INS Vagir, which were commissioned respectively in December 2017, September 2019, March 2021, November 2021 and January 2023.

The vessel was delivered to the navy a week ago.