India simultaneously commissions new Submarine and Surface Combat Ships

 

Commissioning of three new ships of for the Indian Navy on 15 January 2025. Photo c/o Naval News.


The Indian Navy held a simultaneous commissioning of three new warships, comprising of a Kalvari-class (Project 75 Scorpene) diesel-electric attack submarine, a Visakhapatnam-class (Project 15B) guided missile destroyer, and a Nilgiri-class (Project 17A) guided missile frigate last 15 January 2025.


 The ships are the sixth and final Kalvari-class submarine INS Vaghsheer (S26, the fourth and final Visakhapatnam-class destroyer INS Surat (D69), and the lead ship of the Nilgiri-class frigate INS Nilgiri (F33).


No other than Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was present in the commissioning ceremony held at the Naval Dockyard in Mumbai, highlighting the importance of this event to the Indian Government. It was noted that this is the first time in Indian history to simultaneously commission of a destroyer, frigate and submarine was done.


The INS Surat and INS Nilgiri were delivered to the Indian Navy on 20 December 2024, while the INS Vagsheer was delivered on 09 January 2025, with all three ships built by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd.


The INS Vagsheer is the latest Kalvari-class submarine of the Indian Navy, and is based on the French Scorpene attack submarine design from Naval Group. They are considered one of the best diesel-electric attack submarines in the world, featuring its silent propulsion, advanced combat systems and versatility. It can be armed with heavyweight wire-guided torpedoes, the MM40 Exocet submarine-launched anti-ship missiles, and mines.


While it does not have Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) system, the submarine can be fitted with the technology in the future as it is scheduled to be installed with an AIP plug under a separate contract.


The INS Surat is the final Visakhapatnam-class (Project 15B) destroyer and is equipped with a 76mm main gun, four AK-630M close in weapon systems, two twin torpedo launchers and two ASW rocket launchers from India’s L&T, sixteen Brahmos supersonic anti-ship missiles, and 32-cell Vertical Launch System (VLS) equipped with the Israeli-Indian Barak 8 MRSAM.


The INS Nilgiri is the first of its class, and is equipped with an upgrade 76mm Oto Melara STRALES main gun equipped with integrated fire control radar and DART smart homing munitions, two AK-630M CIWS, two twin torpedo launchers and two ASW rocket launchers from L&T, eight Brahmos supersonic anti-ship missiles, and 32-cell VLS for Barak 8/MRSAM missiles.



[1] Naval News

[2] The Indian Express

[3] NDTV


India simultaneously commissions new Submarine and Surface Combat Ships India simultaneously commissions new Submarine and Surface Combat Ships Reviewed by Asia Pacific Defense Journal on January 17, 2025 Rating: 5

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