India Commissions Three Indigenous Warships, Bolstering Naval Self-Reliance

The Indian Navy on Sunday commissioned three indigenously built warships—INS Dunagiri, INS Sandhayak, and INS Agray—at the Garden Reach Ship Builders and Engineers (GRSE) facility in Kolkata. This milestone underscores India's growing capacity to design, develop, and manufacture advanced military platforms domestically, reducing reliance on foreign suppliers.

All three vessels were designed by the Indian Navy's Warship Design Bureau and built at GRSE. According to the Navy, more than 75% of the equipment and systems used in these ships are indigenous. This aligns with the government's defence self-reliance initiative, which aims to boost local manufacturing and reduce import dependence.

The commissioning comes at a time of heightened strategic competition in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). The new warships enhance the Navy's operational capabilities, including surveillance, anti-submarine warfare, and hydrographic surveying. Indigenous design also allows for future modifications and upgrades without relying on foreign vendors, improving long-term operational flexibility.

INS Dunagiri is a Project 17A stealth frigate equipped with advanced stealth features to reduce radar detection. It carries a state-of-the-art combat system, sensors, and weapons, including BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles and medium-range surface-to-air missiles. This vessel is expected to strengthen the Navy's ability to operate in contested environments both in the IOR and beyond.

INS Sandhayak is a large survey vessel designed for hydrographic and oceanographic surveys. It can map seabeds and chart navigational routes in coastal and deep-sea areas. Equipped with autonomous underwater vehicles and remotely operated vehicles, it will support naval operations as well as scientific research and civilian maritime projects.

INS Agray is an anti-submarine warfare shallow water craft, built to detect, track, and neutralise enemy submarines in coastal and shallow waters. It features advanced sonar systems, anti-submarine torpedoes, and other weapons. Given increasing submarine activity in the IOR, such platforms are vital for securing India's maritime interests.

The Navy noted that over 200 micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) contributed to the construction of these warships, reflecting the growth of India's defence manufacturing ecosystem. The successful commissioning demonstrates progress in achieving defence self-sufficiency while providing employment and technological expertise within the country.