Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday, 21 June commissioned three indigenously built warships into the Indian Navy at Kolkata, declaring that a nation can speak of peace only when it has the strength to defend itself. The event marked a significant milestone in India's push for self-reliance in defence manufacturing.

The Three Warships Commissioned

The vessels commissioned were the advanced stealth guided missile frigate INS Dunagiri, the survey ship INS Sanshodhak, and the anti-submarine warfare shallow water craft INS Agray — all built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) Ltd. All three had been delivered together by the shipyard on 30 March.

INS Dunagiri carries nearly 75 per cent indigenous content, while INS Sanshodhak and INS Agray each exceed 80 per cent indigenous content — a benchmark that underscores the depth of India's domestic shipbuilding capability.

What PM Modi Said

'No country can progress unless it is a capable maritime power. The seas are linked to the economy, progress and growth. Satellite cables run under the seas and oceans. They are also the source of critical minerals. India understands the importance of maritime strength and is preparing itself accordingly,' Modi said.

Invoking the commissioning of the indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant, he said: 'When we commissioned the indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant, we announced to the world that India is capable. We have truly embarked on the path of self-reliance (Atmanirbharta) in the field of shipbuilding, and these three warships are an example of that.'

He added: 'We are proud that these warships have been designed and built in India, using Indian labour, equipment and resources. We do not want to be a buyer. We want to be a builder.'

MSMEs, Jobs and the ₹70,000 Crore Outlay

Modi highlighted the economic ripple effect of domestic shipbuilding, noting that more than 200 MSMEs contributed to the construction of the three warships alone. 'Shipbuilding requires steel, electronics, and spares. Thousands of companies are engaged in building them. It is not just another sector. It is an employment generator,' he said.

He also disclosed that ₹70,000 crore has been earmarked for shipbuilding in India, with ports being modernised and multi-modal logistics networks being established in parallel.

Defence Exports: From ₹700 Crore to ₹40,000 Crore

Modi pointed to a dramatic shift in India's defence posture since 2014. 'We used to be the largest buyer of defence equipment till 2014. That has now started changing. In 2014, our defence exports were about ₹700 crore. Today, that has gone up to ₹40,000 crore. We now export to more than 80 countries,' he said, while acknowledging that 'this is just the start. We still have a long way to go.'

Key Officials Present

The commissioning ceremony was attended by Admiral Krishna Swaminathan, Chief of the Naval Staff; West Bengal Governor R.N. Ravi; state Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari; and Cmde P.R. Hari, IN (Retd), Chairman and Managing Director of GRSE. Admiral Swaminathan noted that INS Dunagiri was built in 33 per cent less time than the previous frigate of the same class, and praised the role of private shipyards in delivering vessels such as INS Agray.

Modi also acknowledged West Bengal's contribution to India's maritime sector, noting the state's talent and skills as vital to the shipbuilding ecosystem. With the commissioning of these three vessels, India's naval modernisation drive — anchored in domestic production — moves another step forward.