India’s naval history and its contemporary advancements present an extraordinary story of maritime evolution and self-reliance. On January 15, 2024, three major warships—INS Surat, INS Nilgiri, and INS Vagsheer—were commissioned into the Indian Navy. All three vessels are products of Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd (MDL), India’s premier warship-building institution. Their induction showcases India’s commitment to achieving autonomy in defense manufacturing and strengthening its maritime capabilities to meet modern challenges. Each of these vessels represents a blend of indigenous innovation, strategic foresight, and military precision.
The journey of Indian warship building began with the patrol vessel INS Jay in 1961. This marked the advent of local shipbuilding, which further progressed a decade later with the introduction of the Leander-class frigates built in collaboration with the UK. The original INS Nilgiri, launched in 1972, symbolized a significant step forward in India’s naval ambitions. Today, with advanced ships like those introduced in 2024, India stands poised to redefine its naval narrative on a global scale.
What Strategic Importance Do INS Surat, INS Nilgiri, and INS Vagsheer Hold?
INS Surat is the fourth and final vessel of the Visakhapatnam-class destroyers under Project 15B, designed indigenously by the Navy’s Directorate of Naval Design. Displacing 7,400 tonnes, this destroyer features advanced sensors and weaponry capable of countering surface, air, and underwater threats. Propelled by four Ukrainian Zorya gas turbines, the ship can reach impressive speeds of 60 km/h.
- INS Surat represents India’s growing capability to design, construct, and operate sophisticated naval platforms. Its predecessors under Project 15 and Project 15A, such as INS Delhi, INS Mysore, and INS Kolkata, established a legacy of effective destroyer-class ships. INS Surat’s induction ensures continuity of this lineage while embracing modern military needs.
- This destroyer will soon be followed by the next-generation destroyers of Project 18, featuring integrated electric propulsion systems and displacing 13,500 tonnes. These future vessels promise enhanced firepower and operational versatility, underscoring the Navy’s evolution toward becoming a formidable blue-water force.
INS Nilgiri is the lead ship of the seven Project 17A multi-role frigates, offering major advancements over its Shivalik-class predecessors. It carries a robust weapons suite, state-of-the-art sensors, and the newly inducted Sikorsky MH-60R Seahawk helicopter. The integration of advanced stealth technology and automated features makes it an ideal choice for complex maritime operations.
INS Vagsheer, the sixth and final Scorpene-class submarine of Project 75, demonstrates India’s prowess in underwater warfare. Designed for a wide range of missions, such as anti-surface warfare, anti-submarine warfare, area surveillance, and intelligence gathering, INS Vagsheer is among the most versatile diesel-electric submarines globally. Notably, the recent addition of air-independent propulsion (AIP) by the DRDO has exponentially increased its underwater endurance. While traditional submarines must surface frequently to charge their batteries, AIP systems allow prolonged submersion, improving operational stealth.
- Together, these vessels amplify the Indian Navy’s ability to defend India’s extensive coastline of 7,500 km and safeguard strategic interests in both the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal.
What Does the Indian Navy’s Expanding Fleet Tell Us About Its Future?
India’s naval expansion reflects strategic foresight aimed at modernizing its maritime architecture to confront emerging geopolitical challenges. Initially, the government targeted a MO-warship fleet in 1961. However, with the unveiling of the Maritime Capability Perspective Plan, India revised its target to 160 ships, with Navy chiefs proposing 175 warships as a realistic goal. With around 140 ships currently operational, India still has ground to cover.
The current expansion plan emphasizes quality over quantity, prioritizing vessels equipped with advanced technology to counter evolving threats. Modern-day vessels, from stealth destroyers to multi-role frigates, underline India’s emphasis on self-reliance. Indigenous capabilities like the AIP system and state-of-the-art weaponry reduce dependency on foreign technologies.
Furthermore, the upcoming Project 75-1, which aims to develop six more AIP-powered submarines, reinforces India’s resolve to dominate both shallow and deep-sea terrains. Simultaneously, efforts under DRDO to build nuclear-propelled submarines indicate a bold step toward establishing an independent and credible underwater fleet.
How Do Indigenous Initiatives Address Broader Strategic Challenges?
India’s growing self-sufficiency in warship and submarine manufacturing not only strengthens national security but also secures its standing in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). Historically, Indian naval acquisitions leaned heavily on imports. Ships from the UK, Russia, and France formed the backbone of earlier fleets. However, a pivot toward indigenous design and manufacturing, evident in the “Atmanirbhar Bharat” vision, has begun reducing this dependency.
One of the most critical maritime challenges India faces lies in its extensive coastline. Shallow drafts in the Arabian Sea necessitate small conventional submarines, while deeper waters in the Bay of Bengal demand larger, nuclear-powered vessels. Indigenous designs have successfully adapted to such unique requirements, allowing customized solutions and operational flexibility.
- The commissioning process for INS Surat, Nilgiri, and Vagsheer involved rigorous machinery, hull, fire-fighting equipment, and damage-control trials, ensuring peak performance standards.
- Enhanced collaboration between MDL, DRDO, and various public and private stakeholders has created a thriving ecosystem of innovation and expertise.
Can Indigenous Naval Efforts Help Broaden India’s Geopolitical Influence?
A robust Navy is instrumental in asserting geopolitical influence, and India has demonstrated a strategic understanding of its maritime priorities. The growing fleet and reliance on indigenous production provide operational independence and bolster India’s global standing as a maritime leader.
India’s participation in multinational initiatives like anti-piracy missions and maritime exercises is reinforced by its self-reliant Navy. With warships and submarines tailored to serve diverse roles—from rapid-deployment platforms to long-endurance operational bases—India’s fleet is equipped to project power and deter adversaries.
Moreover, indigenous innovation secures strategic technology. It eliminates potential vulnerabilities associated with relying on foreign suppliers while enhancing India’s bargaining power in global defense markets. With the capability to construct advanced vessels on schedule, India also emerges as a viable exporter of warships and related technology, promoting regional stability.
India’s efforts in self-reliant shipbuilding extend beyond economics or security—they affirm its capacity to lead in technological progress and military autonomy. INS Surat, INS Nilgiri, and INS Vagsheer symbolize this vision of transforming Indian maritime strength into a global standard. As the nation continues its quest toward building a 200-ship navy, its growing proficiency reflects a bright horizon of opportunities for asserting a dominant role in safeguarding global maritime security.