The Indian Navy is set to commission three indigenously built frontline warships—Dunagiri, Sanshodhak, and Agray—in Kolkata on June 21, as part of its force accretion plan. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will preside over the ceremony. This marks the second time this year that the Navy commissions three frontline platforms in a single day, following the commissioning of INS Surat, INS Nilgri, and submarine INS Vagsheer on January 15.
Unprecedented Expansion
The Indian Navy is on track to commission 19 warships in 2026, the highest number in a single year. In 2025, it commissioned 14 vessels, including a submarine. Collectively, 33 ships will be commissioned between January 2025 and December 2026. Sources describe this production tempo as unprecedented in history, demonstrating the maturity of the domestic shipbuilding ecosystem. This year marks the peak of naval expansion.
Indigenous Design and Construction
The three warships were designed by the Indian Navy’s Warship Design Bureau and constructed by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE) in Kolkata. They represent key operational capabilities across maritime combat, hydrographic surveying, and anti-submarine warfare. Together, they reflect the Navy’s balanced approach to capability development, strengthening blue-water operations, enhancing maritime domain awareness, and securing coastal waters against evolving threats.
Dunagiri: Advanced Stealth Frigate
Dunagiri is the fifth ship of the INS Nilgiri-class stealth frigates. It is equipped with advanced weapons and sensors, including BrahMos surface-to-surface missiles and the Medium Range Surface-to-Air Missile system, significantly enhancing the Navy’s combat capability.
Sanshodhak: Survey Vessel
Sanshodhak is the fourth Survey Vessel (Large), designed for coastal and deep-water hydrographic surveys and collection of oceanographic and geophysical data for defense and civil applications. It is equipped with advanced survey systems, including Autonomous Underwater Vehicles and Remotely Operated Vehicles. Three ships of this type—INS Sandhayak, INS Nirdeshak, and INS Iksha—have been commissioned in the past two years.
Agray: Anti-Submarine Warfare Craft
Agray is the fourth of the Arnala-class Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft. It is equipped with lightweight torpedoes, indigenous rocket launchers, and shallow-water sonar systems to detect and engage underwater threats in littoral waters.
Boost to Indigenous Shipbuilding
The three platforms demonstrate the growing maturity of India’s indigenous shipbuilding ecosystem, with indigenous content exceeding 75 percent. Their construction involved extensive participation by Indian industry, including more than 200 MSMEs, and generated substantial direct and indirect employment. The commissioning highlights the collaborative efforts of the Government of India, the Indian Navy, public sector shipyards, private industry, and MSMEs in advancing the objectives of Aatmanirbhar Bharat and strengthening India’s maritime capabilities.
