Daijiworld Media Network – Kolkata
Kolkata, Jun 17: The Indian Navy is set to commission three indigenously built vessels simultaneously in Kolkata this week, marking a significant milestone in the country's maritime modernisation efforts and self-reliance in defence production.
According to sources, the commissioning ceremony is expected to take place in the coming days and may coincide with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Kolkata on June 21.
The three vessels slated for induction are stealth frigate INS Dunagiri, anti-submarine warfare shallow water craft INS Agray, and survey vessel INS Sanshodhak. Together, the platforms will strengthen the Navy’s capabilities in surface warfare, underwater threat detection and maritime domain awareness.
The induction comes at a time when the Indian Navy continues to maintain a strong operational presence across the Indian Ocean Region amid evolving security challenges and increasing strategic activity in regional waters.
INS Dunagiri, the fifth vessel under the Project-17A stealth frigate programme and the second built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE), is among the Navy’s most advanced warships. Equipped with BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles, advanced air defence systems and anti-submarine weaponry, the frigate is designed for a wide range of combat operations in blue-water environments.
INS Agray, part of the Arnala-class Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft programme, is designed to enhance the Navy’s ability to detect and counter underwater threats in coastal and shallow waters. The vessel is fitted with advanced sonar systems, lightweight torpedoes and indigenous anti-submarine rocket launchers.
The third vessel, INS Sanshodhak, is the final ship under the Survey Vessel (Large) programme. It is equipped with sophisticated hydrographic survey systems, autonomous underwater vehicles and remotely operated equipment used for seabed mapping, navigational charting and oceanographic research.
Naval officials said the simultaneous commissioning highlights the growing capability of Indian shipyards and the Navy’s commitment to rapidly operationalising indigenous platforms. The move also aligns with the Centre’s emphasis on strengthening domestic defence manufacturing under the ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative.
This will be the second such occasion in recent years when three major naval platforms are inducted together. In January 2025, a destroyer, a frigate and a submarine were commissioned into service during a ceremony in Mumbai.
The addition of the three vessels is expected to significantly enhance the Navy’s operational readiness, anti-submarine warfare capabilities and maritime surveillance capacity, while strengthening India’s ability to safeguard vital sea lanes and strategic interests in the region.