What Role Did INS Surat Play During Operation Sindoor?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- INS Surat represents India's advanced naval technology.
- It is equipped with state-of-the-art weaponry and AI systems.
- The destroyer can operate in surface, air, and underwater environments.
- Its deployment in Operation Sindoor marks a key milestone in naval strategy.
- INS Surat signifies India's commitment to self-reliance in defense.
Surat, July 9 (NationPress) INS Surat, India's sophisticated stealth-guided missile destroyer, played an essential role during the recently executed ‘Operation Sindoor’ while stationed in the Arabian Sea, disclosed its commanding officer, Captain Sandeep Shorey, on Wednesday.
Engineered to excel in all facets of naval warfare—surface, air, and underwater—INS Surat epitomizes India's escalating maritime prowess and self-sufficient defense capabilities. Commissioned in January 2025 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Naval Dockyard in Mumbai, this formidable warship is named after the historic port city of Surat in Gujarat.
In an interview with IANS, Captain Shorey emphasized the ship's capabilities: “The standout feature of INS Surat is that it serves as a genuine multi-role destroyer. It can detect, classify, and neutralize enemy targets—whether in the air, on the surface, or underwater. We are armed with state-of-the-art weaponry and sensors. Powered by gas turbines, the vessel can reach speeds of 30 knots, and with its extended endurance, we can sustain missions for prolonged periods.”
INS Surat is the fourth and final vessel of the Visakhapatnam-class destroyers constructed under Project 15B, continuing the legacy of the Delhi, Kolkata, and Visakhapatnam classes. It ranks among the largest and most sophisticated destroyers globally, displacing 7,400 tonnes and stretching 164 meters in length.
This warship boasts 75 percent indigenous content and proudly holds the title of India’s first Artificial Intelligence (AI)-enabled naval vessel. It incorporates AI-driven systems developed locally to boost operational efficiency in both combat and navigation.
Armed extensively, INS Surat features the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile, Barak-8 surface-to-air missiles, torpedoes, IRL rocket launchers capable of firing 150 rockets simultaneously, and an anti-aircraft gun that can unleash 4,000 rounds in just 60 seconds.
The destroyer is also equipped with cutting-edge radar systems for air and underwater surveillance and includes two integral helicopters for enhanced reconnaissance and anti-submarine warfare.
Built by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) in Mumbai, INS Surat was designed by the Indian Navy’s in-house Warship Design Bureau. Its involvement in Operation Sindoor not only highlights its strategic significance but also represents a landmark achievement in India’s naval modernization and self-reliance in defense manufacturing.