COMMISSIONING OF NILGIRI, SURAT AND VAGHSHEER BY THE INDIAN NAVY

On 15th January 2025, the Indian Navy announced the commissioning of three cutting-edge ships built at Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) in Mumbai. These include:

Nilgiri (Project 17A)

  • Type: Lead Ship of Project 17A
  • Key Features:
    • A significant upgrade over the Shivalik-class
    • Equipped with advanced stealth technology and state-of-the-art weapon systems.
    • Aimed at strengthening India’s naval defense and enhancing operational efficiency.
  • Significance: The commissioning of Nilgiri marks a major leap in modernizing the Indian Navy’s fleet, enhancing its stealth and combat capabilities.

Surat (Project 15B)

  • Type: Fourth and Final Destroyer of Project 15B
  • Key Features:
    • Enhanced version of the Kolkata-class destroyers.
    • Equipped with long-range missiles and indigenous weapon systems.
    • Designed to bolster the Navy’s defensive and offensive capabilities in varied naval warfare situations.
  • Project 15B:
    • A part of an ambitious initiative by the Indian Navy to design and construct four guided-missile destroyers.
  • Significance: Surat’s commissioning represents the final addition to Project 15B, augmenting India’s strategic maritime strength.

Vaghsheer (Project 75)

  • Type: Sixth Submarine of Scorpene-class (Project 75)
  • Key Features:
    • One of the quietest diesel-electric submarines
    • Capable of anti-surface warfare, anti-submarine warfare, surveillance, and special operations.
    • A highly capable platform designed to operate in a variety of strategic maritime roles.
  • Project-75 (India):
    • An ongoing initiative to build 18 conventional submarines and 6 nuclear-powered submarines for the Indian Navy, enhancing its underwater capabilities.

These commissions significantly enhance the Indian Navy’s operational reach, integrating advanced technologies, improving naval defense, and strengthening strategic maritime dominance. Together, Nilgiri, Surat, and Vaghsheer symbolize India’s growing prowess in indigenously building state-of-the-art naval assets, bolstering security in the Indian Ocean Region and beyond.

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