PM Modi commissions INS Surat, INS Nilgiri and INS Vaghsheer: ‘India has emerged a strong, responsible global leader’

Speaking at the commissioning ceremony at the Naval Dockyard in Mumbai, the Prime Minister called it a “giant leap forward” in the Navy’s empowerment and self-reliance.

Describing it as a historic day, Modi said, “Today’s programme connects our glorious heritage with the aspirations of the future. We have a rich history in long sea voyages, commerce, naval defence, ship industry. Taking inspiration from its history, today’s India is becoming a major maritime power in the world. The platforms launched today also reflect this. For example, our Nilgiri is dedicated to the maritime power of the Chola dynasty. The Surat warship reminds us of the period when India was connected to West Asia through the ports of Gujarat. Along with these two ships, the Vagsheer submarine is also being commissioned today. A few years ago, I had the opportunity to participate in the commissioning of Kalvari, the first submarine of the P75 class. Today, I have had the privilege of commissioning the sixth submarine of this class, Vagsheer. These new frontier platforms will give new strength to both India’s security and progress.”

A destroyer, a frigate, and a submarine have been commissioned together for the first time.

“Today, India is being recognised as a reliable and responsible partner across the world and especially in the Global South. India works in the spirit of development, not expansionism. India has always supported an open, secure, inclusive and prosperous Indo-Pacific region. Therefore, when it came to the development of countries bordering the sea, India gave the mantra SAGAR — Security And Growth for All in the Region. We moved ahead with the vision of SAGAR… India considers the defence and security of this entire region as its responsibility.”

“In shaping global security, economics and geopolitical dynamics, a maritime nation like India is going to play a huge role. For economic progress and energy security, it is important that territorial waters are protected, freedom of navigation is ensured, and trade supply lines and sea routes are secure. We have to protect this entire region from terrorism, arms and drug smuggling. Therefore, it is important today that we become global partners in making the seas safe and prosperous, we work to increase the efficiency of logistics and for the shipping industry. We develop the capacity to prevent misuse of ocean resources like rare minerals, fish stocks and manage them. We invest in finding new shipping routes and sea lanes of communication. I am happy that today India is taking continuous steps in this direction,” he said.

“India has also emerged as the first responder in the entire Indian Ocean Region. In the last few months itself, our Navy has saved hundreds of lives, protected national and international cargo worth thousands of crores of rupees. This has increased the world’s trust in India… India’s economic cooperation with ASEAN, Australia, Gulf or African countries is continuously getting stronger. India’s presence in the Indian Ocean Region and its strength is a very big basis for this strengthening of relations. And that is why today’s event is equally important from the military point of view as well as from the economic point of view,” he said.

Prime Minister pointed out India’s expanding role in the global defence sector, noting that the country is now exporting military equipment to over 100 countries.

“It is one of the priorities of the country that the military capability of 21st Century India should be more capable and modern. Be it water, land, sky, deep sea or infinite space, India is securing its interests everywhere. Reforms are being done continuously for this. The formation of the Chief of Defence Staff is one such reform. India is also moving forward in the direction of theater commands so that our forces are more efficient.”

“The way the three services of India have adopted the mantra of self-reliance in the last 10 years is very commendable. Understanding the seriousness of the need to minimise India’s dependence on other countries in times of crisis, all of you are taking this work forward and providing leadership. Our services have prepared a list of more than 5,000 such equipment and tools which they will no longer import from abroad. When an Indian soldier moves forward with equipment made in India, his confidence is also different. In the last 10 years, the country’s largest helicopter manufacturing factory has started in Karnataka. A factory manufacturing transport aircraft for the armies has started. The Tejas fighter plane has taken India’s reputation to new heights. The defence corridors being built in UP and Tamil Nadu are going to give further impetus to defence production,” Modi said.

“And I am happy that our Navy has also expanded the Make in India campaign to a great extent. All of you colleagues of Mazgaon Dockyard also have a very big role in this. In the last 10 years, 33 ships and 7 submarines have been inducted into the Indian Navy. Out of these 40 naval vessels, 39 have been built in Indian shipyards. This includes our magnificent INS Vikrant aircraft carrier, and nuclear submarines like INS Arihant and INS Arighat… Today, India’s defence production has crossed Rs 1.25 lakh crore. We are exporting defence equipment to more than 100 countries. I am confident that with your support, India will rapidly transform its defence sector,” he said.

“Along with increasing the strength of the Indian armed forces, Make in India is also opening new doors of economic progress. The ship-building ecosystem is an example. Many of you would know, experts also say that the more investment is made in ship building, the more positive impact it has on the economy. That is, if we invest Rs 1 in ship-building, then around Rs 1.82 paise circulates in the economy. Just imagine, currently there are 60 big ships under construction in the country. Their value is around Rs 1.5 lakh crore. That is, by investing this much money, around Rs 3 lakh crore will circulate in our economy. And in terms of employment, it has a 6 times multiplier effect. Most of the material, most of the parts of the ships come from the MSMEs of the country. Therefore, if 2000 workers are engaged in the work of building a ship, then in the other industry, which is the MSME supplier, around 12,000 jobs are created in that MSME sector,” he said.

INS Nilgiri

INS Nilgiri, the lead ship of the Project 17A stealth frigate class, represents a significant advancement over the Shivalik-class frigates. Designed by the Indian Navy’s Warship Design Bureau and built at Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL), it incorporates advanced features for enhanced survivability and seakeeping, reflecting the next generation of indigenous frigates.

It features advanced stealth technology and reduced radar signatures. It is equipped with modern aviation facilities and can operate multiple helicopter types, including the newly inducted MH-60R.

INS Surat

INS Surat, the fourth and final vessel of the Project 15B stealth destroyer class, is a follow-on to the Kolkata-class destroyers. It incorporates improvements in design and capability, making it a critical addition to the Navy’s surface fleet. Like INS Nilgiri, it has also been designed by the Warship Design Bureau and constructed at the MDL.

INS Vaghsheer

INS Vaghsheer is the sixth and final submarine under the Scorpene-class Project 75. It is a diesel-electric submarine designed for multiple roles, including anti-surface warfare, anti-submarine warfare, and intelligence gathering. It features modular construction, enabling future upgrades such as air-independent propulsion technology.

The combatants have undergone extensive trials and are now fully operational, ready to enhance the Navy’s maritime strength.