The Indian Navy received four new ships—Dunagiri, Sanshodhak, Agray, and Malwan—which are expected to significantly enhance the overall combat prowess of the force.
Dunagiri, the fifth ship of the Nilgiri-class under Project 17A and the second of its class, is a versatile multi-mission platform designed to tackle both present and emerging challenges in the maritime domain. The vessel is a reincarnation of the erstwhile INS Dunagiri, a Leander-class frigate that served in the Indian Navy from 1977 to 2010.
Equipped with an array of weapons, including BrahMos missiles, rockets, and torpedoes, the state-of-the-art frigate marks a significant leap in naval design, stealth, firepower, automation, and survivability. It also stands as a strong symbol of India’s growing self-reliance in warship construction, the Navy said in a release.
ALSO READ: Is Israel's war on Iran impacting India’s ₹30,000 crore MALE drone deal?
Sanshodhak, meanwhile, is a survey vessel capable of full-scale coastal and deep-water hydrographic surveys of ports. Its role also includes collecting oceanographic and geophysical data for defence and civil applications.
With a displacement of about 3,400 tonnes and an overall length of 110 metres, Sanshodhak is fitted with state-of-the-art hydrographic equipment such as a data acquisition and processing system, an autonomous underwater vehicle, a remotely operated vehicle, and a digital side-scan sonar.
A reincarnation of the erstwhile INS Agray—a patrol vessel that was decommissioned in 2017—Agray is the fourth of eight Arnala-class anti-submarine warfare shallow water craft. These ships are equipped with state-of-the-art lightweight torpedoes, indigenous rocket launchers, and shallow water sonar, enabling effective detection and engagement of underwater threats.
All the three are constructed by state-run Garden Reach Shipbuilding and Engineers Ltd (GRSE).
Malwan, the second of eight anti-submarine warfare shallow water craft built by Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), Kochi, is equipped for underwater surveillance, anti-submarine warfare (ASW) operations in coastal waters, low-intensity maritime operations (LIMO), along with mine warfare capabilities.
Measuring around 80 metres in length and displacing about 1,100 tonnes, the waterjet-propelled ASW shallow water craft are armed with torpedoes and multi-function anti-submarine rockets, and are equipped with advanced sensors, including modern radars and sonar systems.
