INS Surat, INS Nilgiri, and INS Vaghsheer 
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News: Three frontline combatants, INS Surat, INS Nilgiri, and INS Vaghsheer were commissioned into the Indian Navy for the first time.  

INS Surat 

INS Surat
Source: Orbitshub
  • INS Surat is a stealth-guided missile destroyer and the fourth and final vessel under Project 15B. 
  • It is also known as the Visakhapatnam class. 
  • It is India’s first warship to be equipped with artificial intelligence (AI) solutions. 

Capabilities 

  • It has a displacement of 7,400 tonnes and a length of 164 meters. 
  • It is powered by a Combined Gas and Gas (COGAG) propulsion system, comprising four gas turbines.  
  • It can achieve speeds of over 30 knots (56 km/h). 
  • It is armed with state-of-the-art surface-to-air missiles, anti-ship missiles, and torpedoes. 
  • It is also equipped with advanced sensors and network-centric warfare capabilities. 
  • It is designed for offensive naval operations having high speed, maneuverability, and superior strike power. 

INS Nilgiri 

 INS Nilgiri
Source: Wikipedia
  • INS Nilgiri is the lead ship of the Project 17A stealth frigate class. 
  • The ship was launched in September 2019. It was commissioned into the Navy in 2025. 
  • Built by: Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) in Mumbai and Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) in Kolkata 
  • It is the first of seven frigates being constructed under this project, using an integrated construction methodology to reduce build time. 

Capabilities 

  • The ship is designed to operate in blue-water environments. It can address both conventional and non-conventional threats. 
  • It is equipped with supersonic surface-to-surface missiles and medium-range surface-to-air Missiles (MRSAM). 
  • It also has a 76-mm upgraded gun and rapid-fire close-in weapon systems. 
  • It is designed for multi-mission operations, including anti-surface, anti-air, and anti-submarine warfare. 

INS Vaghsheer 

INS Vagsheer
Source: India TV News
  • INS Vaghsheer is the sixth and final submarine of the Kalvari-class. 
  • It is a diesel-electric attack submarine is based on the Scorpene-class design. 
  • It is named after a type of sandfish found in the Indian Ocean. 
  • Developed by: It has been developed by the French Naval Group. 

Specification 

  • It is equipped with wire-guided torpedoes, anti-ship missiles, and advanced sonar systems, making it one of the quietest submarines in its class. 
  • It also features a modular design that allows for future upgrades, such as the integration of Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) systems, expected from 2026 onward. 
  • It can perform diverse missions, including anti-surface warfare, anti-submarine warfare, intelligence gathering, area surveillance, and special operations. 

Shared Significance 

  • They highlight India’s increasing self-reliance in defense manufacturing. 
  • These combatants are also emphasizing strategic and economic significance and reinforcing India’s role as a security provider in the region.

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