Three Indigenous Naval Ships Commissioned:
The Prime Minister commissioned three indigenously built naval ships, INS Dunagiri, INS Sanshodhak and INS Agray, in Kolkata.
- The three vessels were built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata, with more than 75% indigenous content.
- They add distinct operational strengths to the Navy, ranging from frontline combat to seabed mapping and coastal submarine detection.
- INS Dunagiri: INS Dunagiri is a Project 17A stealth guided-missile frigate designed for blue-water operations, meaning it can operate far from the coast.
- It is the largest and most heavily armed among the three vessels.
- It is equipped with advanced weapons and sensors, including BrahMos surface-to-surface missiles, Medium Range Surface-to-Air Missile system, MFSTAR radar, sonar, electronic warfare systems and anti-submarine weapons.
- It strengthens the Navy’s ability to counter conventional and non-conventional threats at sea.
- INS Sanshodhak: It is a Survey Vessel Large (SVL) meant for coastal and deep-water hydrographic surveys. It helps map seabed features, water depths, navigational routes, approach channels to ports and oceanographic data.
- The ship is equipped with systems such as autonomous underwater vehicles, remotely operated vehicles and multi-beam echo sounders.
- Its data supports naval operations, submarine route planning, port development, safe shipping, disaster relief and ocean research.
- INS Agray: It is an Arnala-class Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft designed to detect and engage submarines in littoral or coastal waters.
- It is equipped with lightweight torpedoes, indigenous anti-submarine rocket launchers and shallow-water sonar systems.
- Their commissioning reflects the Navy’s effort to build capability across the full maritime spectrum, from blue-water operations in distant seas to improved maritime domain awareness and stronger littoral defence.
- This is important amid growing strategic competition in the Indian Ocean, including the expanding naval presence of China and Pakistan.
