Why in news?

Three frontline combatants were commissioned into the Indian Navy at the Naval Dockyard in Mumbai: INS Nilgiri, the lead ship of the Project 17A stealth frigate class; INS Surat, the fourth and final ship of the Project 15B stealth destroyer class; and INS Vaghsheer, the sixth and final Scorpene-class submarine.

What’s in today’s article?

• What is INS Nilgiri?
• What is INS Surat?
• What is INS Vaghsheer?
• Commissioning Ceremony of Three Vessels

What is INS Nilgiri?

• Nilgiri-Class Stealth Frigates: An Overview
  • The Nilgiri-class stealth frigates, developed under Project 17A, are advanced follow-on vessels of the Shivalik-class (Project 17).
  • These multi-mission frigates are designed for blue-water operations, capable of handling both conventional and non-conventional threats.
• Key Features and Capabilities
  • Integrated construction for faster building times.
  • Equipped with supersonic surface-to-surface missiles, Medium Range Surface-to-Air Missiles (MRSAM), upgraded 76 mm guns, and rapid-fire close-in weapon systems.
  • Versatile roles in anti-surface, anti-air, and anti-submarine warfare.
• INS Nilgiri: Lead Ship of Project 17A
  • Construction and Launch: Keel laid in December 2017; launched in September, 2019.
  • Sea Trials: Began in August 2023, followed by comprehensive harbour and sea trials.
  • Delivery: Handed over to the Navy in December 2024.
• Other Ships in the Class
  • The remaining six frigates — Himgiri, Taragiri, Udaygiri, Dunagiri, Vindhyagiri — are under construction at Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL), Mumbai, and Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata.

What is INS Surat?

• INS Surat: Overview of Project 15B Destroyers
  • INS Surat is the fourth and final stealth guided missile destroyer under Project 15B, following INS Visakhapatnam, INS Mormugao, and INS Imphal, commissioned over the last three years.
  • It represents an advanced iteration of the Kolkata-class destroyers built under Project 15A.
• Key Features of INS Surat
  • India's First AI-Enabled Warship: Utilizes indigenously developed artificial intelligence solutions for enhanced operational efficiency.
  • Specifications:
    • Displacement: 7,400 tonnes.
    • Length: 164 metres.
    • Speed: Achieved speeds exceeding 30 knots (56 km/h) during sea trials.
  • Advanced Armaments: Equipped with state-of-the-art surface-to-air missiles, anti-ship missiles, torpedoes, and modern sensors for network-centric warfare.
• Project 15B: Evolution of Stealth Destroyers
  • Built as an advanced variant of the Kolkata-class destroyers under Project 15A (INS Kolkata, INS Kochi, INS Chennai).
  • Contract Signing: January 2011, for four destroyers designed by the Indian Navy's Warship Design Bureau and built by MDL.
• Role of Destroyers in Naval Operations
  • High-speed, manoeuvrable warships with greater strike capability and endurance.
  • Critical assets for offensive operations and network-centric warfare, integrating force elements using advanced IT and communication tools.

What is INS Vaghsheer?

• INS Vaghsheer: Overview of the Kalvari Class Submarine
  • INS Vaghsheer is the sixth and final submarine of the modern Kalvari class built under Project 75, designed for stealth and versatility in naval operations.
• Design and Capabilities
  • Based on the Scorpene Class: Developed from the Scorpene design by French defence major Naval Group and Spanish entity Navantia.
  • Diesel-Electric System: Primarily "attack" or "hunter-killer" submarines, built to target and destroy adversary naval vessels.
  • Silent and Versatile: Known as one of the world’s most silent and versatile diesel-electric submarines.
• Mission Versatility
  • Wide Range of Missions: Includes anti-surface warfare, anti-submarine warfare, intelligence gathering, area surveillance, and special operations.
  • Armament: Equipped with wire-guided torpedoes, anti-ship missiles, and advanced sonar systems.
• Naming and Heritage
  • Named After Sandfish: INS Vaghsheer is named after a species of sandfish found in the Indian Ocean.
  • Historical Significance: The Kalvari class submarines take their names from decommissioned classes, including Kalvari, Khanderi, Karanj, and the Vela class (which included Vela, Vagir, Vagshir), reflecting the early Soviet-origin Foxtrot class submarines of the Indian Navy post-Independence.

Commissioning Ceremony of Three Vessels

• About the news
  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi presided over the commissioning of INS Nilgiri, INS Surat, and INS Vaghsheer, marking the first time a destroyer, a frigate, and a submarine have been commissioned together in the Indian Navy.
• Significance of the Vessels
  • Indigenous Construction: All three vessels are Made in India, underscoring India's growing self-reliance in defense capabilities.
  • Development Timeline: The journey from design to commissioning of these ships spanned 10 to 15 years, reflecting the long-term investment in naval infrastructure.
• Strategic Importance
  • Enhancing Naval Power: The addition of these platforms strengthens India’s defense capabilities, contributing to the Navy’s force level needed to deter regional threats.
  • Bolstering Maritime Influence: These ships are key to enhancing India’s strategic maritime presence in the Indian Ocean Region and beyond.
• Dual Military and Economic Significance
  • The commissioning of these vessels holds both military and economic importance, strengthening India’s defense posture and reinforcing its role as a key player in global maritime security.