The Indian Navy is set to commission three major combat platforms on January 15, 2025, including two warships and a submarine. This milestone underscores India’s growing defense capabilities and its commitment to enhancing security in the Indian Ocean region.
The three vessels—INS Nilgiri, INS Surat, and the Vagsheer submarine—will be commissioned in Mumbai, a crucial hub for India’s defense shipbuilding industry. All three ships were built at domestic shipyards, reflecting the success of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “Make in India” initiative, which aims to ramp up India’s self-reliance in defense manufacturing.
The INS Nilgiri, the flagship of Project 17A, marks a technological leap over its predecessors. This stealth frigate, part of a series of seven advanced ships, features enhanced radar-evading capabilities and advanced weapon systems. The INS Surat, the fourth and final destroyer of the Project 15B class, is the follow-up to the Kolkata-class destroyers and boasts cutting-edge sensors and operational enhancements. Finally, the Vagsheer, the sixth and last of the Scorpene-class submarines, completes India’s $3 billion Project 75, a long-term initiative launched in 1997 to build a robust submarine fleet.
Both the INS Surat and INS Nilgiri are equipped with advanced aviation facilities, capable of deploying a variety of helicopters, including the newly inducted MH-60R. Their design incorporates state-of-the-art helicopter landing and traversing systems, enabling seamless operations during day or night and in any weather condition.
The Vagsheer submarine, launched in April 2022, was initially expected to be commissioned by late 2023 but faced delays due to challenges with integrating indigenous technology. Now, following extensive trials, it is set to join India’s growing submarine fleet.
The commissioning of these vessels comes at a time when the Indian Navy is further expanding its capabilities. In December 2024, the fleet was bolstered by the arrival of the INS Tushil, a Russia-built warship armed with BrahMos supersonic missiles. Expected to join the Western Fleet in February 2025, the INS Tushil will enhance India’s naval presence in the region.
India’s defense sector continues to evolve, with plans already underway for the indigenous construction of two nuclear-powered submarines. These projects reflect India’s broader ambition to bolster its strategic autonomy and further establish itself as a powerful maritime force in the Indian Ocean.
