Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has commissioned three state-of-the-art warships simultaneously in Kolkata, the capital of West Bengal, India.

Built using indigenous technology, the three warships—INS Dunagiri, INS Agray, and INS Sanshodhak—were officially handed over to the Indian Navy on Saturday (20 June).

Modi stated that these three vessels will play a crucial role in enhancing India's maritime security and self-reliant defense capabilities.

Constructed at Kolkata's Garden Reach Shipyard, the three warships were formally handed over to the Navy by Modi during a ceremony organized at the Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port.

The event was attended by West Bengal Governor RN Ravi, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, senior naval officers, and other dignitaries.

Following their commissioning, the three domestically built warships immediately joined the naval fleet. INS Dunagiri and INS Agray are scheduled to depart for the Andaman and Nicobar Islands following their inauguration.

Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, "I am proud to visit West Bengal on International Day of Yoga.

West Bengal has given momentum to India's resurgence. Today, INS Dunagiri, INS Sanshodhak, and INS Agray have joined the Navy. No nation can be strong without a strong Navy.

India is now self-reliant and secure. The journey toward a self-reliant and secure India is moving forward right from Bengal."

He added, "All three warships, including the missile-capable INS Dunagiri, are built with indigenous technology. India wants to be a manufacturer, not just a consumer. The day the nation becomes a manufacturer, it will become a decisive power. The designs of all three ships are entirely India's own. Today is also World Hydrography Day, and it is on this day that a modern hydrographic vessel is being launched."

INS Sanshodhak is equipped with lightweight torpedoes and rocket launchers, making it India's fourth-largest survey vessel.

It has been specially designed for coastal and deep-sea hydrographic surveys, as well as data collection for both defense and civil sectors.

Among the three vessels, INS Dunagiri is a Project-17A stealth frigate class warship.

Equipped with state-of-the-art weapons and sensors, this frigate is capable of carrying BrahMos missiles and can execute surface-to-surface and surface-to-air strikes.

INS Agray is designed to conduct surveys in both coastal regions and deep waters using advanced survey systems. It is the fourth Arnala-class anti-submarine warfare shallow water craft, making it highly effective in countering enemy submarines in shallow waters.

To mitigate underwater threats, it is equipped with torpedoes and indigenously developed rocket launchers.

Earlier on Friday, the Indian Navy stated in a press release that all three vessels are capable of maritime warfare, hydrographic surveys, and anti-submarine operations.

Built entirely with indigenous technology, the ships were designed by the Indian Navy's Warship Design Bureau and constructed by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE) in Kolkata.

According to the Indian Navy, all three ships will simultaneously undertake various maritime responsibilities following their commissioning. They are expected to play a vital role in safeguarding the country's maritime borders.

Furthermore, the vessels were built in line with the "Atmanirbhar Bharat" (Self-Reliant India) initiative, featuring over 75% indigenous content.

More than 200 micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) participated in the construction process, which reportedly generated a significant number of direct and indirect employment opportunities.
Source: Times of India