S Moin / Kolkata
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said that India has entered a new phase of growth in the shipbuilding sector with a renewed national vision aimed at strengthening maritime capabilities and boosting domestic manufacturing.
The Prime Minister made the remarks during the commissioning of three indigenously built Indian Navy platforms — INS Dunagiri, INS Sanshodhak and INS Agray — in Kolkata, West Bengal.
The vessels, designed by the Indian Navy’s Warship Design Bureau and constructed by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE), are expected to enhance India’s capabilities in combat operations, hydrographic surveying and anti-submarine warfare.
Addressing the gathering, Mr Modi said the government has introduced several policy reforms in recent years to strengthen the country’s maritime ecosystem. He noted that focused efforts are being made to expand domestic shipbuilding capacity and develop related sectors.
He said shipbuilding, ship repair and Maintenance, Repair and Operations (MRO) are now being viewed as key pillars of a broader national mission aimed at building long-term industrial and strategic strength.
Highlighting the significance of the commissioning ceremony, the Prime Minister said the induction of these warships reflects India’s future ambitions in the maritime domain. He added that the maritime sector holds immense potential to generate lakhs of employment opportunities in the coming years and is being positioned as an important driver of India’s development journey.
Mr Modi also underlined India’s expanding defence manufacturing capabilities, saying the country has witnessed rapid growth not only in defence production but also in defence exports. He noted that defence exports, which stood at around ₹700 crore before 2014, have grown significantly over the years.
Among the newly commissioned platforms, INS Dunagiri is a Project 17A stealth frigate equipped with BrahMos missiles and medium-range air defence systems. INS Sanshodhak has been developed as a survey vessel for coastal and deep-water hydrographic missions, while INS Agray is an anti-submarine warfare vessel fitted with torpedoes, sonar systems and rocket launchers to strengthen coastal security.
According to the Indian Navy, all three platforms have over 75 per cent indigenous content and their construction involved the participation of more than 200 micro, small and medium enterprises, reflecting the growing strength of India’s domestic shipbuilding ecosystem.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh described the tri-commissioning of INS Dunagiri, INS Sanshodhak and INS Agray as a milestone in India’s maritime capability development. In a social media post, he said the advanced platforms demonstrate the strength of India’s defence manufacturing ecosystem and reinforce the country’s commitment to the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat.
He added that the vessels are fully prepared to protect India’s strategic interests and contribute to maintaining security across the Indian Ocean region.