This photograph taken on January 11, 2025 shows crew members onboard the naval combatant INS Surat, a stealth guided missile destroyer of the Indian Navy, at the Naval Dockyard in Mumbai. | Photo Credit: AFP

First tri-commissioning of three frontline platforms, PM hails ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ move

INS Niligiri, lead ship of P17A frigates; INS Vaghsheer, sixth and final Scorpene Class submarine; and INS Surat, fourth and final ship of P15B destroyers; commissioned; PM dedicates the three frontline platforms to the nation

by · The Hindu

In a first, three frontline platforms — INS Niligiri, INS Vaghsheer and INS Surat — were commissioned on the same day in the Indian Navy on Wednesday (January 15, 2025). Hailing the first tri-commissioning as a significant leap towards towards ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’, Prime Minister Narendra Modi dedicated the three vessels to the nation. INS Nilgiri is the lead ship of Project 17A frigates, INS Vaghsheer is the sixth and the final boat of Project 75 Kalvari class submarines, and INS Surat is the fourth and final ship of Project 15B destroyers.

“Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj had given a new vision to the Navy. Today, this is a significant step towards empowering the Indian Navy of the 21st century. It is a big day for the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ (indgenisation) vision. It is a massive step for strengthening our Navy. This is the first time that three frontline platforms are being commissioned on the same day. Make in India campaign connects our needs to our future vision. We are becoming a major maritime power by taking inspiration from our rich naval history. INS Niligiri is dedicated to the naval empire of the Cholas. INS Surat is dedicated to India’s ancient connection to West Asia through Gujarat. I was there was the commissioning of the first Kalvari submarine. I am blessed to commission the sixth one – INS Vaghsheer,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi said while speaking at the Naval dockyard on Wednesday morning.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a ceremony to dedicate frontline naval combatants INS Surat, INS Nilgiri and INS Vaghsheer to the nation, at the Naval Dockyard in Mumbai. | Photo Credit: PTI

SAGAR - India’s vision

Outlining India’s vision as a global power, PM Modi said, “India’s position is not expansionist, but development-oriented. Today’s India is emerging as a major maritime power in the world. Now, we are recognised as a reliable and responsible partner globally, especially in the Global South. We believe in an open, secure, inclusive Indian Ocean region. That is why we went ahead with the vision of SAGAR – Security and Growth for All In the Region.” He said, the country’s goal was to protect traditional, territorial waters, adding that India had emerged as the First Responder across the entire Indian Ocean Region, saving thousands of lives. “The sea routes should be safe from illegal drug trade, weapons’ trade, terror activities, human trafficking. We are global partners in safety.” 

Indigenisation and impact on economy

Speaking about the importance of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat abhiyan’ or indigenisation, he said that the country’s dependence on other countries at the time of any tension should be minimum. “Today, there are 5,000 plus equipments, which our defence personnel will not buy from other countries.” He highlighted that of the 40 platforms commissioned in the Navy in the last few years, 39 have been made in the Indian shipyards.

“When investment is made in ship-building, it has a doubly positive impact on the economy. New doors open for economic progress. Today, we are already exporting defence equipment to 100 plus countries. At present, 60 ships are under construction in the Indian shipyards. Their total value is ₹1.50 Lakh Crore. This leads to ₹3 Lakh Crore circulation in the economy. When it comes to employment, there is a six times multiplier effect. Port-led economic development model will further fuel our economy,” the PM said, giving the example of Vadhvan port in Maharashtra.

This photograph taken on January 11, 2025 shows a crew member onboard the naval combatant INS Surat, a stealth guided missile destroyer of the Indian Navy, inspecting the Indigenous Rocket Launchers (IRL) on the warship’s deck at the Naval Dockyard in Mumbai. | Photo Credit: AFP

Future: Space and deep sea exploration

He said that the future of technology and development was through space and deep sea exploration, highlighting the importance of India’s Samudrayaan project. “Be it land, water, air, the deep sea or the infinite space, India is safeguarding its interests everywhere. Samudrayaan project, which aims to take scientists to a depth of 6,000 meters in the ocean, is a feat achieved by only a few countries.”

Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh highlighted the importance of the occasion saying, “There is rapid modernisation in the defence forces. We are manufacturing large platforms within the country, with low cost and high impact. By the end of this year, many reforms will be implemented in the defence sector. Today’s historic commissioning showcases India’s growing prowess in the Indian Ocean region.”

Apart from top Naval officials including the Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh Tripathi, Chief of Defence Staff Anil Chauhan, Maharashtra Governor CP Radhakrishnan, Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar

Published - January 15, 2025 11:45 am IST