India commissions three naval ships in Kolkata

INS Dunagiri , is the Indian Navy's fifth Nilgiri-class stealth frigate. (PIB)

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has commissioned three vessels into the Indian Navy at a ceremony in Kolkata on 21 June, the Ministry of Defence has said.

The vessels comprise INS Dunagiri, a Nilgiri-class (Project 17A) stealth frigate; INS Sanshodhak, a Sandhayak-class survey vessel; and INS Agray, an Arnala-class anti-submarine warfare shallow water craft (ASW SWC).

The event marks only the second time the Indian Navy has commissioned three ships simultaneously since January 2025 in Mumbai, when the service inducted INS Surat, a Visakhapatnam-class destroyer; INS Nilgiri, a Nilgiri-class frigate; and INS Vaghsheer, a Kalvari-class submarine.

“The commissioning of the three naval platforms stands as testimony to the country's growing capabilities and skills,” Modi said.

Dunagiri is the fifth Nilgiri-class frigate under Project 17A and the second to be constructed by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE).

The class displaces about 6,670 tonnes at full load, measures approximately 149 m in length, and is powered by a combined diesel-or-gas propulsion system delivering speeds of around 28 kt and a range of about 5,500 n miles.

The frigates are equipped with the iMF-STAR radar, BrahMos surface-to-surface missiles, and Barak-8 surface-to-air missiles, alongside anti-submarine warfare systems and helicopter facilities.

Sanshodhak is the last of four Sandhayak-class survey vessels intended to enhance India's hydrographic and oceanographic survey capabilities.

The class displaces around 3,400 tonnes and measures about 110 m in length. Powered by diesel engines, the vessels can achieve speeds in excess of 18 kt and are fitted with specialised hydrographic and oceanographic systems, including autonomous and remotely operated underwater vehicles, to support seabed mapping and maritime domain awareness.

Agray