Indian Navy Commissions INS Dunagiri, INS Sanshodhak and INS Agray

Context:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently commissioned three frontline naval vessels “INS Dunagiri, INS Sanshodhak, and INS Agray” at the Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port in Kolkata. The tri-commissioning marks a milestone in India’s transition towards a modern, self-reliant blue-water navy under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative.

About the Inducted Vessels:

The three vessels have been designed by the Indian Navy’s Warship Design Bureau and built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata, with over 75% indigenous content and extensive MSME participation.

About  INS Dunagiri – Stealth Guided Missile Frigate:

INS Dunagiri is a Project 17A stealth frigate, representing a new generation of multi-role warships. It is designed for high-intensity surface combat operations, including anti-ship, anti-air, and anti-submarine warfare roles.

• • • Key features:
      • Advanced stealth design with reduced radar signature
      • Equipped with modern sensor suites and integrated combat management systems
      • Capable of operating in both blue-water and littoral zones
      • Designed for multi-dimensional warfare including surface and aerial threats
      • It is part of a series of advanced frigates that significantly enhance the Navy’s strike and escort capabilities.

About INS Sanshodhak – Large Hydrographic Survey Vessel:

INS Sanshodhak is a Survey Vessel (Large) designed primarily for hydrographic and oceanographic mapping.

• • • Key features:
      • Advanced sonar and underwater mapping systems
      • Used for surveying ports, channels, and Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZ)
      • Equipped for oceanographic data collection and maritime research
      • Supports naval navigation safety and coastal infrastructure planning
    • Often described as a “floating ocean laboratory,” it enhances India’s Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) and supports both defence and civilian applications.

About INS Agray – Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft:

INS Agray is designed for littoral (coastal) anti-submarine warfare operations.

• • • Key features:
      • Optimised for detection and neutralisation of submarines in shallow waters
      • Equipped with lightweight torpedoes and advanced sonar systems
      • Designed for coastal defence and harbour security
    • Enhances protection against underwater threats in India’s near-sea regions

Strategic Significance:

• • • Strengthening coastal and blue-water security amid rising Indo-Pacific naval competition
    • Enhancing self-reliance in defence manufacturing under Make in India
    • Improving multi-domain maritime capabilities (surface, sub-surface, and survey operations)
    • Boosting India’s role in regional maritime stability and ocean governance

Conclusion:

The simultaneous induction of INS Dunagiri, INS Sanshodhak, and INS Agray reflects India’s evolving naval doctrine—shifting from platform acquisition to integrated, technology-driven maritime power. It also underscores the strategic importance of indigenous shipbuilding in ensuring long-term security, economic growth, and geopolitical influence in the Indian Ocean Region.