Kolkata, India: Prime Minister Narendra Modi commissioned three indigenously built naval vessels into the Indian Navy at Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port in Kolkata, marking another significant milestone in India's push for defence self-reliance. The newly inducted vessels—INS Dunagiri, INS Sanshodhak, and INS Agray—were built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE) and showcase India's growing capabilities in naval shipbuilding.
The commissioning ceremony highlighted the government's commitment to strengthening maritime security while promoting domestic defence manufacturing under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
Three Vessels, Three Strategic Roles
Each of the newly commissioned ships serves a distinct purpose within the Indian Navy, enhancing its operational readiness across multiple domains.
INS Dunagiri: Advanced Stealth Frigate
INS Dunagiri is a modern stealth frigate designed for multi-role surface combat operations. Equipped with advanced sensors, weapons systems, and stealth features, the vessel is capable of detecting and engaging threats across air, surface, and underwater environments.
The frigate strengthens the Navy's ability to protect India's maritime interests, conduct long-range patrols, and participate in strategic operations across the Indian Ocean Region.
INS Sanshodhak: Ocean Survey and Mapping Vessel
INS Sanshodhak is a specialized survey vessel tasked with hydrographic and oceanographic missions. The ship will play a crucial role in mapping sea floors, studying underwater terrain, and supporting safe navigation for both military and civilian vessels.
Accurate maritime surveys are increasingly important for submarine operations, coastal infrastructure development, and maritime security planning. The vessel's advanced surveying equipment will help generate critical data for future naval missions.
INS Agray: Anti-Submarine Warfare Craft
INS Agray has been designed to strengthen coastal defence and anti-submarine warfare capabilities. With regional navies expanding their underwater fleets, submarine detection and tracking have become a strategic priority.
The vessel is equipped to identify, monitor, and respond to underwater threats, providing an additional layer of security along India's coastline and key maritime routes.
Boost for Atmanirbhar Bharat
A notable feature of all three vessels is their high indigenous content, exceeding 75 percent. The ships were designed and built in India using locally sourced systems, equipment, and technology, reducing dependence on foreign suppliers.
Speaking during the ceremony, Prime Minister Modi emphasized India's transformation from a major importer of defence equipment to an increasingly capable producer and exporter. He highlighted that more than 40 indigenously built naval platforms have recently joined the fleet, while dozens more are currently under construction.
The Prime Minister described shipbuilding as a national mission and reiterated the government's commitment to supporting the sector through policy reforms, investment incentives, and technological innovation.
Strategic Importance in a Changing Maritime Environment
The induction of these vessels comes at a time when maritime security is becoming increasingly important in the Indo-Pacific region. Growing geopolitical competition, expanding naval deployments, and the need to secure critical sea lanes have prompted India to accelerate modernization efforts.
INS Dunagiri enhances combat capability, INS Sanshodhak improves maritime domain awareness, and INS Agray strengthens underwater threat detection. Together, they provide the Navy with a balanced combination of offensive, defensive, and support capabilities.
Defence analysts note that indigenous shipbuilding not only improves operational readiness but also strengthens India's strategic autonomy by reducing reliance on foreign defence imports.
Strengthening India's Naval Future
The commissioning of INS Dunagiri, INS Sanshodhak, and INS Agray reflects India's broader vision of becoming a leading maritime power. As the Indian Navy continues to expand and modernize its fleet, domestically built platforms are expected to play an increasingly central role.
With dozens of additional warships under construction and a strong focus on indigenous technology, India is steadily building a more capable and self-reliant naval force prepared to address future security challenges across the region.
The latest induction demonstrates that India's naval modernization is not only about acquiring new assets but also about developing a robust domestic defence ecosystem capable of supporting national security for decades to come.