Three new indigenous ships join the Navy fleet, Navy Chief says – modern technology has given a new boost to construction capability
Suspense Crime, Digital Desk : Indian Navy inducts 3 state-of-art ships to strengthen maritime power - "Modern tech gave new thrust to construction capability": Navy Chief "We have witnessed a third successive naval programme with state-of-the-art, advanced, self-sufficient warships being built and then put into service. This shows that our capability of building warships with modern technology, self-reliance and self-confidence is getting new impetus," said Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Krishna Swaminathan, said. India's advanced stealth frigate INS Dunagiri, survey vessel INS Sanshodhanak and anti-submarine warfare shallow water craft INS Aagre were commissioned on Sunday. Major impetus to naval strength and capabilities "These ships will considerably enhance the operational capability of the Indian Navy and make its endeavours for protecting the maritime interest of our country more potent and effective," he added.
In his opening remarks, he said the tri-commissioning in Kolkata on Sunday comes as first after a similar event was held in Mumbai 17 months ago, marking as another important chapter in the Navy's history, signalling how India's warship building capabilities are gaining new traction by the day in terms of modern technology, self-reliance and self-confidence.
The Chief of the Naval Staff conveyed his heartfelt compliments to GRSE, industry partners and MSMEs on their success. He also congratulated the Commanding Officers and crew of the three ships on taking charge of these naval assets. PM's focus on 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' On the occasion, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had stressed that to measure a nation's defence strength, it is important to see how 'self-reliant' it is, saying India is now on a path to become a 'producer and manufacturer', instead of being just a 'buyer'. Countries which are a manufacturing nation and to a large extent self-reliant, play a decisive role in global affairs.
He also said that West Bengal is all set to emerge as a major hub of India's 'blue economy' and maritime manufacturing in the years to come.
A nation with strong maritime capabilities also possesses a strong influence in the economy and global politics, and India is all set for that. "The commissioning of these new ships will greatly strengthen the nation's operational capacities and expand the maritime domain awareness," he said. "This induction of ships into the Navy today strengthens our maritime security apparatus significantly and adds another layer of security in coastal regions to deal with the evolving geopolitics."
A 'wonderful coincidence' of Yoga Day and World Hydrography Day "I am happy to be in the historical land of Bengal, a land which played a pivotal role in shaping India's intellectual, cultural and national awakening and which through the seas linked India to the world," Modi had said at the commissioning ceremony. He said: "This event marks an important milestone towards Aatmanirbhar India, secure India and a developed India." The PM noted with pleasure the presence of the International Day of Yoga as "a wonderful coincidence."
"It's equally wonderful that today is also observed as World Hydrography Day across the globe and it's a moment of pride for us that India's most advanced survey vessel, INS Sanshodhanak, has been commissioned today.
"Calling it a 'wonderful coincidence', the PM expressed joy over the fact that the three warships - an Advanced Stealth Frigate INS Dunagiri, a Survey Vessel INS Sanshodhanak, and an Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft INS Aagre - were inducted into the Indian Navy on a day celebrated as the International Day of Yoga and World Hydrography Day. Maritime power, future global security "This achievement highlights India's growing technical prowess and naval strength. The most crucial thing is that no nation can be a great nation without a strong maritime capability. Development, security and prosperity are inextricably linked to oceans," he said.
Modi added: "Majority of the world trade occurs through the oceans and huge global digital networks operate under them.
The major economic and strategic potential of a nation will depend on its capabilities in maritime domain - be it vital minerals, deep-sea resources, or energy in future." India all set to be defence manufacturer, not a buyer "The commissioning of INS Vikrant few years back had brought the world's attention to India's increasing naval might. The journey from INS Vikrant to INS Dunagiri, INS Sanshodhanak and INS Aagre is not merely a tale of new ships, but it reflects India's strengthening self-reliance.
These three ships symbolise our commitment to indigenous design, manufacturing, and innovation. India's shipbuilders, engineers and workers have put forth their best efforts to make these ships, the first triple commissioning of this sort in independent India, a success," PM had stated. The three ships were designed by the Navy's Warship Design Bureau (WDB) and the Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE), and manufactured by GRSE.
It marks a significant achievement for India's defence indigenisation, with these ships built with over 75 percent indigenous content.
