India dedicates warships to Navy, Modi declares nation emerging as defense producer
New Delhi, June 21: Prime Minister Narendra Modi dedicated three state-of-the-art indigenous warships to the Indian Navy, INS Agray, INS Dunagiri, and INS Sanshodhak, to the nation at a grand ceremony held at the Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Port in Kolkata, West Bengal on Sunday. In the presence of the Chief of Naval Staff and senior military officers, the Prime Minister formally commissioned the three ships into the Navy by cutting the ribbon.
At the event, the Prime Minister congratulated the Navy and the scientists, engineers, and workers involved in these operations. He said that the world is witness to the fact that no country can become a major power without maritime capabilities because development, security, and prosperity are linked to the sea. Today, most of the world’s trade is conducted by sea, and the vast data networks connecting the world also pass under the sea. In the future, essential minerals, deep-sea resources, and new sources of energy will also be linked to the sea.
Meanwhile, the national flag and naval flag were hoisted to the traditional bugle sound marking the official induction of the three naval vessels into the Navy. On June 21st, the country’s most advanced survey vessel, INS Sanshodhan, was inducted into the Navy on the occasion of World Hydrography Day. The Prime Minister inspected the ships and met with the crew members aboard, encouraging them.
Emphasizing self-reliance in the defense sector, the Prime Minister said that India does not want to remain merely a buyer of defense equipment, but is emerging as a major manufacturer. He pointed out that in the past few years, the Indian Navy has inducted over 40 “Made in India” warships and submarines into its fleet. He said that the journey of INS Vikrant to today symbolizes India’s growing self-reliance.
Sharing defense production figures, the Prime Minister explained that the country’s defense production, which was approximately ₹40,000 crore in 2014, has now increased to ₹1.8 lakh crore. Defense exports have also increased from ₹700 crore to nearly ₹40,000 crore, and Indian defense products are now being exported to approximately 80 countries.
The Prime Minister stated that the time has come for the country to reach the next level of maritime power. In line with this, India is moving forward with a new vision for the shipbuilding sector. In recent years, several policy reforms have been implemented and special steps have been taken to enhance domestic manufacturing capacity. Shipbuilding, ship repair, and MRO (Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul) are being viewed as a major national mission.
He stated that this port is named after the country’s first Industry Minister, Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee, and that West Bengal will play a crucial role in the new maritime era that India is moving towards. It has immense potential in ports, industries, talent, and skills that can take the maritime economy to new heights. In the future, West Bengal will become an important hub for India’s blue economy, maritime manufacturing, logistics, and coastal development.
It is noteworthy that these three ships, designed by the Indian Navy’s Warship Design Bureau, were built by Kolkata-based Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE). Over 75 percent of their construction was indigenously constructed, and over 200 MSMEs participated.
INS Dunagiri is a 6,670-ton, 149-meter-long state-of-the-art stealth frigate built under Project 17A. It is equipped with BrahMos missiles and the Medium Range Surface-to-Air Missile System.
INS Agraya is an Arnala-class anti-submarine warfare shallow water craft. The 77-meter-long warship is capable of detecting and destroying enemy submarines in shallow waters.
INS Sanshodhak, a 3,400-tonne advanced hydrographic survey vessel, will play a vital role in hydrographic surveys, ocean mapping, and the collection of oceanographic data. It is equipped with modern underwater and remotely operated survey systems.
