SOURCE: AFI
The Indian Navy is set to bolster its maritime strength with the induction of seven new warships and one submarine over the next four months, according to defense sources who spoke to Sputnik India. This significant boost to naval capabilities aligns with India’s ongoing efforts to modernize its fleet, enhance operational readiness, and protect its extensive maritime interests.
While one of the vessels is being built in Russia, the majority of these platforms are being constructed domestically in Indian shipyards, underscoring the country’s increasing focus on indigenous defense production.
Among the upcoming inductions, the largest and most prominent is the Visakhapatnam-class destroyer ‘Surat,’ which is expected to join the Indian Navy by December 2024. Part of the Project 15B destroyer series, INS Surat represents a major step forward in India’s naval warfare capabilities.
The Visakhapatnam-class destroyers are equipped with state-of-the-art weaponry, including BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles, Barak-8 surface-to-air missiles, and advanced sonar systems, making them formidable assets in both offensive and defensive maritime operations. These ships are designed for multi-role operations, ranging from fleet defense to anti-submarine warfare, and are integral to India’s strategy in the Indian Ocean Region.
Apart from the ship being built in Russia, the remaining six warships are being constructed in Indian shipyards under the ‘Make in India’ initiative, which emphasizes local production and self-reliance in defense manufacturing. This includes vessels from Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE) in Kolkata and Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) in Mumbai, which have been at the forefront of Indian naval shipbuilding.
In addition to the warships, the Indian Navy will also induct one submarine in the coming months, INS Vagsheer (S26) sixth and final submarine in the Indian Navy’s Kalvari class will further enhance the Indian Navy’s sub-surface warfare capabilities. Submarines play a vital role in the Indian Navy’s strategic deterrence posture, especially given the increasing importance of undersea assets in modern naval conflicts.
The induction of these vessels comes at a time when India is facing increasing security challenges in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), a strategically vital waterway that sees a significant percentage of the world’s trade pass through. The Indian Navy is tasked with not only safeguarding India’s vast coastline but also protecting the country’s maritime interests far beyond its shores.