Kolkata (Gurpreet Singh): The Indian Navy’s maritime capabilities are set for a major enhancement as Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives in West Bengal to preside over a historic triple-induction ceremony at the Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port in Kolkata. Scheduled for Sunday morning, the commissioning of INS Dunagiri, INS Sanshodhak, and INS Agray marks a critical milestone in India’s pursuit of defense self-reliance, with the Prime Minister slated to address the naval gathering immediately following the official induction.
Designed by the Indian Navy’s Warship Design Bureau and constructed by the Kolkata-based Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers, the three vessels have been engineered to address diverse operational requirements, ranging from deep-sea combat to coastal defense and hydrographic surveying. Reflecting a significant achievement for domestic manufacturing, all three platforms boast over 75 per cent indigenous content, incorporating specialized components developed in collaboration with more than 200 Indian Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises.
The trio is led by INS Dunagiri, the fifth stealth frigate delivered under the advanced Project 17A series. Engineered as a formidable multi-role combatant, the warship is heavily armed with BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles and Medium Range Surface-to-Air Missile systems, providing the fleet with robust air defense and strike capabilities. Operating alongside it is INS Sanshodhak, the fourth vessel in the Large Survey Vessel category, which features cutting-edge hydrographic technologies, Autonomous Underwater Vehicles, and Remotely Operated Vehicles designed to map ocean terrain for both defense operations and civilian research.
Completing the induction is INS Agray, the fourth Arnala-class Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft. Specially optimized for coastal defense and littoral operations, the agile craft is equipped with lightweight torpedoes, indigenous rocket launchers, and advanced shallow-water sonar systems tailored to detect and neutralize underwater threats in near-shore environments. Naval officials emphasized that the simultaneous induction of these diverse platforms underscores a balanced growth strategy aimed at maximizing maritime domain awareness and securing the nation’s vast coastline against modern security challenges.
