The Indian Navy is set to commission three combatant platforms on January 15, including first P17A indigenous stealth frigate Nilgiri, at naval dockyard in Mumbai, demonstrating the maritime strength.

All three platforms have been designed and constructed entirely at Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd (MDL), Mumbai, adding to India’s growing self-reliance in the critical domain of defence production.

While Nilgiri is the lead ship of the Project 17A stealth frigate class; Surat is the fourth and final ship of the Project 15B stealth destroyer class; and Vaghsheer the sixth and final submarine of the Scorpene-class project.

The successful commissioning of these advanced warships and submarines highlights the rapid progress made in warship design and construction, an Indian Navy spokesperson said.

Nilgiri is a major advancement over the Shivalik-class frigates, incorporating significant stealth features and reduced radar signatures through state-of-the-art technology, the spokesperson pointed out.

The Project 15B destroyer, Surat, is the culmination of the follow-on class to the Kolkata-class (Project 15A) destroyers, featuring substantial improvements in design and capabilities.

The spokesperson stated that both ships were designed by the Navy’s Warship Design Bureau and are equipped with advanced sensors and weapon packages developed primarily in India or through strategic collaborations with leading global manufacturers.

Equipped with modern aviation facilities, Nilgiri and Surat can operate a range of helicopters, including Chetak, ALH, Sea King, and the newly inducted MH-60R, during both day and night operations.

Features such as a Rail-Less Helicopter Traversing System and a Visual Aid and Landing System ensure seamless operations under all conditions.

These ships also include specific accommodations to support a sizeable complement of women officers and sailors, aligning with the Navy’s progressive steps toward gender inclusion in frontline combat roles.

Vaghsheer, the sixth Scorpene-class submarine under the Kalvari-class Project 75, is one of the most silent and versatile diesel-electric submarines in the world.

“It is designed to undertake a wide range of missions, including anti-surface warfare, anti-submarine warfare, intelligence gathering, area surveillance, and special operations. Armed with wire-guided torpedoes, anti-ship missiles, and advanced sonar systems, the submarine also features modular construction, allowing for future upgrades such as the integration of Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) technology,” he emphasised.

The combined commissioning of Nilgiri, Surat, and Vaghsheer demonstrates India’s unparalleled progress in defence self-reliance and indigenous shipbuilding.

The vessels have undergone rigorous trials, including machinery, hull, fire-fighting, and damage control assessments, as well as proving all navigation and communication systems at sea, making them fully operational and ready for deployment.