On January 15, 2025, the Indian Navy commissioned three frontline combatants into its fleet: INS Nilgiri, the lead ship of the Project 17A class frigates; INS Surat, the fourth and final ship of the Project 15B class destroyers; and INS Vaghsheer, the sixth and final submarine of the Scorpene-class project.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated in the event, noting that “it is for the first time that the tri-commissioning of a destroyer, frigate and submarine was being done.” He mentioned the inclusion of 33 ships and seven submarines in the Navy over the past decade, with 39 out of 40 naval vessels being built in Indian shipyards.
The ceremony was held at Naval Dockyard, Mumbai. All three platforms have been constructed entirely at Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL), Mumbai. 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. Both Surat and Nilgiri were delivered to the Indian Navy on December 20, 2024 after sea trials were completed while Vagsheer was delivered on January 9, 2025.
A press release noted that 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 sizable complement of women officers and sailors, aligning with the Navy’s progressive steps toward gender inclusion in frontline combat roles. Both ships were designed by the Indian 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.
The induction of these warships comes after Talwar class frigate INS Tushil was commissioned into the Indian Navy on December 9, 2024 at Yantar Shipyard in Russia.
INS Nilgiri
INS Nilgiri of Project 17A is a major advancement over the Shivalik-class frigates, incorporating improved stealth features such as sloped superstructure, flush deck, infrared suppression system and acoustic quietening. The class is the among the first Indian-built surface warships to use modular integrated construction methodology and uses CODAG propulsion arrangement with two General Electric LM2500 gas turbines.
The 149 meter long, 6,700 ton ship is the first to be fitted with an upgraded 76mm SRGM, the OTO Melara Strales made by BHEL, having integrated director radar and DART smart homing ammunition. The ship also has two 30 mm AK-630M CIWS, two L&T triple torpedo launchers, two L&T Indigenous Rocket Launchers for ASW rockets, eight BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles and 32 Barak-8 / MRSAM surface to air missiles. Its main radar is the MF-STAR by IAI, made by BEL.
Project 17A involves seven ships split 4:3 between MDL and Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE). A follow-on order called Project 17B is being worked on. The project is expected to be for eight ships which could be split between two shipyards with the project expected to cost over $7.5 billion.
INS Surat
INS Surat, is the culmination of the follow-on class to the Kolkata-class (Project 15A) destroyers, featuring substantial improvements in design and capabilities. The ship has an indigenous content of 75% and is equipped with state-of-the-art weapon-sensor packages and advanced network-centric capabilities. Surat is 163 meters long and 17 meters wide, displaces 7400 tonnes when fully loaded, and has a maximum speed of 30 knots.
Surat is notably fitted with an older variant of the 76mm SRGM, which may be a placeholder until new production guns are delivered. The destroyer has four AK-630M CIWS, two L&T twin torpedo launchers, two L&T Indigenous Rocket Launchers for ASW rockets, sixteen BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles and 32 Barak-8 / MRSAM surface to air missiles with the MF-STAR as the primary radar. Both Surat and Nilgiri can be expected to be equipped with weapons like the VL-SRSAM and LRLACM in the future.
With all four P-15B destroyers now inducted, India currently does not have any destroyers under construction. A class of Next Generation Destroyers (NGD), also referred as Project 18, is known to be under planning and is expected to begin implementation within a few years.
INS Vagsheer
INS Vagsheer, the sixth Scorpene-class submarine under the Kalvari-class Project 75, is described as 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, Exocet 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. The induction of Vagsheer marks the end of the initial production run of Project 75, with the Navy looking towards Project 75I and Project 76 for the next generation of SSKs. However delays to the former has seen India looking at alternatives, which will soon place an order for three additional Scorpene submarines, also to be made by MDL.
The lead submarine INS Kalvari is set to be fitted with an AIP plug by DRDO and L&T, with the Indian MoD signing a contract for the same on December 31, 2024. The Kalvari class is also set to be fitted with the new DRDO Electrical Heavyweight Torpedo (EHWT).
