In a resounding push for indigenous ‘maritime’ defence capabilities, the Indian Navy is set to induct three locally designed and built naval frontline platforms at Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port (Kolkata) on June 21, 2026, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi commissioning them.
The naval frontline platforms include:
- INS Dunagiri (stealth frigate)
- INS Sanshodhak (survey vessel)
- INS Agray (anti-submarine warfare shallow water craft)
These naval platforms will bolster and secure India’s maritime borders, while concurrently strengthening self-reliance in defence production.
Indigenously Designed And Developed Naval Ships
The three naval platforms present a remarkable example of India’s indigenous defence prowess, where all the three naval vessels comprise over 75% indigenous content. The design of these frontline platforms was spearheaded by Warship Design Bureau of the Indian Navy. Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE) is the nodal agency responsible for the construction of the three naval ships.
Private industry also contributed substantially to the construction, with more than 200 Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) directly involved. Additionally, it is indicative of a burgeoning public-private partnership in the nation’s defence-industrial sector.
INS Dunagiri
INS Dunagiri is the fifth Project 17A stealth frigate, aimed at augmenting Indian Navy’s tactical effectiveness and combat potential in blue-water warfare.
It is integrated with state-of-the-art missile systems, which consists of the BrahMos surface-to-surface missiles and the Medium Range Surface-to-Air Missile system.
INS Sanshodhak
INS Sanshodhak is the fourth Survey Vessel (Large), which is outfitted with advanced survey technology, that includes Autonomous Underwater Vehicles and Remotely Operated Vehicles.
According to the Defence Ministry, as reported by the Press Information Bureau, INS Sanshodhak is designed for “coastal and deep-water hydrographic surveys and collection of oceanographic and geophysical data for defence and civil applications.”
Therefore, INS Sanshodhak greatly boosts Indian Navy’s maritime domain awareness, countering new-age threats in blue-waters.
INS Agray
INS Agray is the fourth of the Arnala-class Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft.
The naval platform is configured with “lightweight torpedoes, indigenous rocket launchers, and shallow-water sonar systems to detect and engage underwater threats in littoral waters,” as informed by the Press Information Bureau, enhancing the Navy’s underwater war-fighting and operational capacity.
“Atmanirbharta” In Defence Capability
‘Dunagiri’, ‘Sanshodhak’ And ‘Agray’ naval frontline platforms not only strengthen the self-reliant, indigenous defence production apparatus, but also solidify the country’s defence posture and strategic deterrence in the hostile maritime domain.
As PM Narendra Modi notes,
“With the commissioning of INS Dunagiri, INS Sanshodhak and INS Agray in Kolkata on 21st, it will ensure enhanced operational preparedness and further secure our waters. This is also highlighting India’s success in becoming self-reliant in the defence sector.”