
The Hon’ble Prime Minister (PM) of India, Shri Narendra Modi, inaugurated three frontline men-o-war of the Indian Navy (IN) in an impressive ceremony at the Naval Dockyard in Mumbai on 15 January 2025, which was also coincidentally the 77th Army Day! In a telling display of Centre-State cooperation, the inauguration ceremony was also graced by the Hon’ble Governor of Maharashtra, Shri CP Radhakrishnan, Hon’ble Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh, Union Minister of State for Defence Shri Sanjay Seth, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Maharashtra Shri Devendra Fadnavis, the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS) Admiral Dinesh Kumar Tripathi and other dignitaries.
This unprecedented ‘tri-commissioning’ event was a red-letter occasion for India and the IN on multiple levels. The commissioning of three major Naval war-vessels underscores India’s growing Naval might and reiterates the country’s increasing influence in the waters and among the littorals of South and Southeast Asia. India’s pre-eminence as a net security provider in the Indian Ocean Region has also received a fillip with this augmentation to the IN’s might. In addition, the Hon’ble PM, during his address, emphasised the necessity to protect territorial waters from inimical designs, ensure navigational freedom, and secure trade routes for economic growth and energy security, all of which would be bolstered by such inductions. The design, development and manufacture (DDM) of these frontline combatants with up to 75% indigenous content, also unambiguously demonstrates India’s swift advancement towards becoming a global frontrunner in Defence production and, more importantly, towards achieving self-reliance in Defence preparedness via a fast-maturing Defence industry!
Recognising Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s influence on India’s Naval capabilities while outlining the IN’s modernisation plans, the PM highlighted the maritime prowess of the Chola Dynasty and Gujarat’s role in regional maritime connectivity: drivers for naming the newly commissioned vessels. He also underlined the importance of the India-mooted and backed Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR) initiative, which would receive a boost with such augmentations.
The induction of modern Naval craft is a testament to the IN’s Modernisation Plan, which is a comprehensive effort aimed towards enhancement of operational capabilities, to transform the current 129 platform-strong Service into a 200-ship-strong force by 2050, along with its concurrent transformation into a Blue-Water Navy. The plan itself envisages DDM of indigenous platforms, along with sensors and weapon systems, with a focus on self-reliance. As a component of the Modernisation Plan, Surface Fleet Modernisation envisions the acquisition of surface combatants, which include the Destroyer and Frigate class of warships commissioned above, to enhance the IN’s surface-warfare capabilities. Submarine modernisation similarly envisions induction of conventional and nuclear-powered submarines to bolster the IN’s sub-surface capabilities.
The IN’s modernisation plan, as mentioned above, will focus on indigenous DDM- as a testimony to this effort, over 60 ships and submarines are currently under construction at Indian shipyards. Such focussed diligence in and by indigenous industry would see the IN expanding to over 160 platforms within the next five years, as espoused by the CNS recently.
Salient features of the three newly commissioned men-o-war are elucidated hereinafter in this article.
INS Surat
INS Surat During Sea-Trials:Source-en.wikipedia.org
INS Surat (D69) Showing One CIWS and VLS:Source-images.mid-day.com
INS Surat (Pennant No. D69) is the fourth vessel under Project-15B of the IN, with a total project outlay of Rs. 35,800 Crores. The ship is the last in the line of destroyers built under the overarching moniker of Project-15, which includes the Delhi-Class (P-15), the Kolkata-Class (P-15A) and the Visakhapatnam-Class (P-15B). INS Surat is part of the Visakhapatnam-Class of Stealth Guided-Missile Destroyers built under Project-15B (approved by the Defence Acquisition Council in 2009), with improved stealth, automation and ordnance features over the Project-15A ships. These improvements include the relocation of its SONAR to the bow from the hull for greater efficiency, modification of the mast design to reduce Radar Cross-Section (RCS) and reshaping of the hull to improve stealth. This capital ship (a vessel designed to project power, engage in major maritime operations, and serve as command-center for fleet operations) is the IN’s most modern warship and was delivered to the IN by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd (MDL), a Navratna Central Public Sector Enterprise, on 20 December 2024. The warship has been designed by the IN’s Warship Design Bureau (WDB), constructed by MDL and overseen by the IN’s Warship Overseeing Team (WOT), Mumbai (a specialised unit responsible for supervising the construction and delivery of warships built by MDL for the IN). Finished in 31 months, this warship has been built in the shortest time ever!
INS Surat has a displacement of 7,400 tons, length of 164 m, top speed of 30 knots (over 55 kmph) and a maximum range of 9,200 Nautical Miles (17,000 Km). Major armament includes 2 x 8-cell Vertical Launch System (VLS) for 16 BrahMos Anti-Ship Missiles, 4 × 8-cell VLS for 32 Barak-8 Surface-to-Air Missiles, an Italian OTO Melara 76-millimeter forward gun, four Russian AK-630 close-in weapon systems (CIWS), and indigenously developed anti-submarine warfare (ASW) systems, including the BEL-manufactured HUMSA-NG SONAR and ‘Nagin’ Active Towed-Array SONAR, 4x 533mm heavyweight torpedo tube launchers, and 2x RBU-6000 ASW rocket launchers [ARDE has successfully developed the Extended-Range Anti-Submarine Rocket, thereby enhancing the range of the existing RGB-60 Anti-Submarine Rocket from 5.3 km to 8.0+ km] (read more @ https://chanakyaforum.com/brahmos-cruise-missile-indias-contender-in-the-supersonic-vector-race/) and https://chanakyaforum.com/mr-sam-boosting-efficacy-of-indias-air-defence/). The Destroyer mounts the Israeli EL/M-2248 S-Band AESA Radar, BEL-manufactured L-Band Air-Search Radar and an X-Band Surface-Search Radar. It is equipped with DRDO’s ‘Shakti’ Electronic Warfare (EW) Suite and ‘Nayan’ COMINT Suite and also carries Kavach decoy launchers and Maareech Advanced Torpedo Decoy System as torpedo countermeasures. The warship is powered by four gas turbines as part of its Combined-Gas-Turbine-and-Gas-Turbine (COGAG) propulsion system. It can house two helicopters and mounts a heli-deck, which will allow operation of a vast range of helicopters including the Chetak, HAL’s Maritime Reconnaissance and Coastal Security (MRCS) Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) Dhruv Mark-III (read more @ https://chanakyaforum.com/an-indian-helicopter-story/), Sea-King ASW Helicopter and the Lockheed Martin Sikorsky MH-60R Multi-Mission Seahawk Helicopters (24 contracted for USD 2.12 Billion in 2020 and nine aircraft delivered so far). Sea trials of the ship commenced in June 2024 and were completed in November 2024, in an unprecedented span of just six months!
With a high indigenous content of 72%, surpassing that of the warships built under Projects P-15 and P-15A, INS Surat reaffirms India’s commitment to self-reliance as part of the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ paradigm. Delivered ahead of schedule, this capital ship is a versatile and combat-ready platform capable of operating independently or as the flagship of a Naval Task Force. It is also the IN’s first AI-enabled warship!
INS Nilgiri
INS Nilgiri:Source-en.wikipedia.org
INS Nilgiri (Pennant No. F33) is a Stealth Guided-Missile Frigate (SGMF) and is the lead-ship, or first-of-class ship of Project-17A, a follow-on program of Project-17, with improved armament and stealth technology. This warship has also been designed by the WDB, constructed by MDL and overseen by WOT. India’s tryst with surface stealth ships began at the turn of the millennium, with the development and commissioning of the Shivalik Class stealth-frigates under Project-17, as part of the Maritime Capability Perspective Plan (MCPP) of the IN. All four ships under Project-17 built by MDL have been commissioned. Project-17A comprises seven SGMF with advanced features and technology upgrades. The construction load of Project-17A will be shared between MDL for four ships and Kolkata-based Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Ltd (GRSE), a Miniratna PSU under Government of India, Ministry of Defence, for three ships. INS Nilgiri was delivered to the IN on 20 December 2024.
The SGMF has a total displacement of 6,670 tons, length of 149 m and top speed of 32 knots (59 kmph). It has a maximum range of 5,500 Nautical Miles (~10,200 Km). It mounts a Combined-Diesel-and-Gas (CODAG) propulsion system. The Frigate incorporates a plethora of design concepts for improved survivability, seakeeping, stealth and manoeuverability. Stealth has been achieved through shaping of its hull and use of radar-transparent deck fittings, which enhance low-observability. Use of composite materials, radar-absorbent coating and dissipated hull temperature emissions, lead to a diminished RCS and Infra-Red (IR) profile. The physical shape which includes an enclosed mooring deck and reduced visible antennae population also lends to stealth. Acoustic reduction is achieved by use of non-cavitating propellers and ‘acoustic enclosures’ to reduce acoustic emissions of the ship’s engines, driveshaft and transmission systems. The Stealth Frigate also boasts advanced weaponry including VLS for 8x BrahMos supersonic anti-ship cruise missiles and for 32 x Barak surface-to-air missiles, an OTO Melara 76-millimeter forward gun and the BHEL-manufactured upgraded 76/62mm Super Rapid Gun Mount (SRGM) CIWS, with the advanced Strales Fire Control System and DART Programmable Guided Ammunition. The latter provides exceptional accuracy and lethality against fast, highly manoeuverable targets, including surface vessels, aircraft and cruise missiles. For ASW, the ship mounts the BEL HUMSA-NG active/passive SONAR, 2 ×triple-tube torpedo launchers for the DRDO’s Varunastra Advanced Autonomous Heavyweight Anti-Submarine Torpedo, and 2 × RBU-6000 anti-submarine rocket launchers (for 72 rockets). It also mounts the Shakti EW Suite. The ship’s weaponry gives her all-round capability against surface and sub-surface targets. The Frigate is equipped with the CMS-17A Combat Management System (CMS). It mounts the Israeli S-Band AESA radar and Tata Advanced Systems’ Lanza-N L-band Air-Surveillance Radar. It can carry two advanced multi-role helicopters and, akin to INS Surat, supports operation of a variety of helicopters including the MH-60R Seahawks. INS Nilgiri underwent maiden sea trials in August 2024.
INS Vaghsheer
INS Vaghsheer, Last of the Project-75 Submarines, Being Launched on 21 April 2022 from MDL:Source-firstpost.com
INS Vaghsheer is a Diesel-Electric Attack Submarine and the sixth and final submarine to be built under the aegis of the P-75 Kalvari-Class Scorpene Project (read more about India’s submarine projects @ https://chanakyaforum.com/indias-submarines-towards-regional-dominance/). The vessel has been designed by the French Naval Group and manufactured by MDL. The submarine was launched from MDL on 21 April 2022 and commissioned along with INS Surat and INS Nilgiri.
The stealth technology-enabled INS Vaghsheer has a length of 67.5 m, maximum speed of 11 knots (20 kmph) surfaced and 20 knots (37 kmph) submerged. It has a maximum diving depth of 350 m and can sustain at sea for 50 days. It has a surface displacement of 1,615 tonnes and submerged displacement of 1,775 tonnes. The submarine is propelled by four German MTU 12V 396 SE84 diesel engines. The modular construction of the submarine will allow the DRDO-manufactured Phosphoric-Acid Fuel Cell (PAFC) Air-Independent Propulsion (AIP) System to be fitted during midlife refit. The AIP systems would enable submarines to stay submerged for longer durations, thus substantially increase their operational range, in addition to increasing endurance by up to 30% and facilitating stealthy operation in close proximity to adversary’s Naval vessels. INS Vaghsheer’s hydrodynamic shape, which reduces underwater drag, and its acoustic-absorption technology (the submarine’s machinery is isolated and mounted on special shock-absorbing foundations to reduce vibrations, while the hull is covered with anechoic tiles that absorb soundwaves and reduce underwater profile), minimises noise and magnetic signatures, and will therefore contribute to its low-observability. The submarine boasts a high level of automation with an Integrated Platform Management System and a CMS, which integrates equipment, systems and sensors. It is also the only Kalvari-Class submarine fitted with indigenous Ku-Band SATCOM (Rukmini).
The armament would include 6 × 533 mm torpedo tubes for 18 Surface and Underwater Target (SUT) torpedoes OR SM.39 Exocet anti-ship cruise missiles and 30 mines in place of torpedoes. The vessel is likely to be equipped with the submarine-launched version of the Varunastra torpedo, post successful trials of the latter.
The submarine can carry out a variety of missions including anti-surface warfare, anti-submarine warfare, sea control/denial, intelligence gathering, area surveillance, and special operations.
Conclusion
In today’s intense competition for favourable utilisation of the global commons across South and Southeast Asia, maritime power emerges as a key enabler to ensure security of operations, undeterred trade, freedom of movement and safety of littoral infrastructure. The IN, therefore, must ensure that its surface and subsurface capabilities can match those of the other regional Naval powers, especially those of China, and also guarantee maritime dominance in the immediate neighbourhood. Focus on addition of capital vessels and capable men-o-war, as above, is an imperative step towards ensuring India’s Naval maritime prowess stays contemporary, lethal and relevant in the context of burgeoning regional maritime competition.
The opinions expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not reflect the views of Chanakya Forum. All information provided in this article including timeliness, completeness, accuracy, suitability or validity of information referenced therein, is the sole responsibility of the author. www.chanakyaforum.com does not assume any responsibility for the same.
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