Prime Minister Narendra Modi commissioned three indigenous frontline naval platforms—the advanced stealth frigate INS Dunagiri, the survey vessel INS Sanshodhak, and the anti-submarine warfare shallow-water craft INS Agray—into the Indian Navy on Sunday in Kolkata. This landmark event marks a significant leap in India's indigenous defence capability and maritime security.
Strengthening Maritime Capabilities
Addressing the commissioning ceremony, PM Modi stated, "The event represented an important milestone in the journey towards an Aatmanirbhar Bharat, a secure India and a developed India." He congratulated the Indian Navy, scientists, engineers, and workers, highlighting that the achievement reflects India's growing technological and maritime prowess. Modi emphasized that no nation can emerge as a major power without strong maritime capabilities, noting that development, security, and prosperity are closely linked to the oceans. Most global trade moves through sea routes, and vast data networks operate beneath the oceans, he added.
Modi further noted that critical minerals, deep-sea resources, and future energy sources will increasingly depend on the maritime domain. Therefore, a nation's economic and strategic influence is directly tied to the strength of its maritime sector. India fully understands this reality and is preparing accordingly, he said.
Symbol of Self-Reliance
The PM recalled the commissioning of INS Vikrant, which marked a new chapter in India's maritime journey. He described the progression from INS Vikrant to the commissioning of INS Agray, INS Dunagiri, and INS Sanshodhak as not merely a story of new warships but a reflection of India's increasing self-reliance. "All three vessels symbolise India's commitment to indigenous design, manufacturing and innovation. Designed and built in India, the vessels showcase the talent of Indian industries, the expertise of Indian engineers and the hard work of Indian workers," he added.
Modi stressed that military strength cannot be measured by dependence on global markets but by the ability to become self-reliant. India seeks to become a producer and manufacturer, because nations that manufacture become decisive players on the global stage. He noted that over 40 indigenously built warships and submarines have been inducted into the Indian Navy in recent years, with 45 major naval platforms currently under construction. These figures, he said, are indicators of India's industrial capacity and future potential.
Economic Impact and Employment
Underlining the employment-generating potential of the maritime sector, Modi said the government views it as a major engine of economic growth. A modern ship requires large quantities of steel, electronics, machinery, and thousands of components, creating opportunities across extensive industrial supply chains. He noted that more than 200 MSMEs contributed to the construction of the three commissioned vessels, generating substantial employment and economic activity across the country.
The PM announced that India is entering the next phase of maritime development, with a new vision for the shipbuilding sector and several policy reforms to enhance domestic manufacturing. "The Rs 70,000-crore incentive package announced for the shipping sector is not merely an economic measure but an investment in India's maritime future and industrial expansion," he stated. Initiatives like Sagarmala are helping reduce logistics costs, accelerate industrial growth, and create new opportunities in coastal regions.
Coinciding with World Hydrography Day
Modi pointed out that June 21 is observed globally as World Hydrography Day, and it is a remarkable coincidence that India's most advanced hydrographic survey vessel, INS Sanshodhak, was commissioned on the same day. The ceremony also coincided with the International Day of Yoga. He expressed happiness at visiting Bengal, which has played a pivotal role in shaping India's intellectual, cultural, and national renaissance and has connected India with the world through maritime routes for centuries.
Progress in Defence Manufacturing
Following the formation of his government in 2014, Modi said a determined effort was made to change the defence manufacturing landscape through major policy reforms and a strong emphasis on self-reliance. "These efforts have opened new opportunities in defence design, manufacturing and exports. While India's total defence production stood at around Rs 40,000 crore in 2014, it has now risen to nearly Rs 1.8 lakh crore," he said, demonstrating significant progress towards a strong, self-reliant, and globally competitive defence industry. He emphasized that the progress over the past 12 years shows how transformative change becomes possible when policies are clear and all stakeholders work together.
Modi reiterated that India views oceans as a medium for cooperation and connectivity. "Security is indispensable for protecting prosperity, while self-reliance is necessary for building the future. INS Agray, INS Dunagiri and INS Sanshodhak embody these very ideals," he said.
Reactions from Defence Officials
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh described the tri-commissioning as a defining moment in India's maritime capability development. "These state-of-the-art platforms are a testament to our robust defence manufacturing ecosystem and our unwavering resolve towards Aatmanirbhar Bharat. They now stand ready to safeguard our national interests and ensure a secure Indian Ocean," he wrote on X. West Bengal Governor RN Ravi, CM Suvendu Adhikari, Navy Chief Admiral Krishna Swaminathan, senior officers, and representatives of Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE) attended the ceremony.
Navy Chief Admiral Swaminathan said this tri-commissioning in Kolkata comes just 17 months after independent India’s first tri-commissioning in Mumbai, showing that India's warship-building capability is gaining new speed in modern technology and self-reliance. He added that these ships will boost the Indian Navy’s capabilities and make its efforts to protect maritime interests more powerful and effective. "GRSE has long been a trusted partner of the Indian Navy in ensuring maritime security. On this occasion, I would like to congratulate the GRSE team, our industry partners and MSMEs who have helped us achieve this success," he said.
GRSE's Role
Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers built all three ships. GRSE is the only PSU shipyard to receive the Defence Minister's Award for Excellence for designing the most silent ship for anti-submarine warfare operations for the Indian Navy. From building 05-ton boats to 24,600-ton fleet tankers, GRSE has demonstrated unmatched versatility. Since 1960, it remains the only Indian shipyard to have delivered over 100 warships and is the first Indian shipyard to build a fleet replenishment tanker. Additionally, it built the first seaward defence boat in independent India, the first-ever patrol vessel for the Indian Coast Guard, the first indigenous survey vessel, and exported a warship—CGS Barracuda—to Seychelles.
