PM Modi to commission INS Dunagiri, two GRSE warships into Navy on June 21 in Kolkata
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to commission three warships built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) Ltd into the Indian Navy in Kolkata on 21 June. The trio — stealth frigate INS Dunagiri, survey vessel INS Sanshodhak, and anti-submarine craft INS Agray — were delivered together to the Navy by GRSE on 31 March this year, marking a milestone in India's indigenous shipbuilding programme.
Three Warships, Three Roles
INS Dunagiri is the second Advanced Guided-Missile Frigate constructed by GRSE under Project 17A. Launched on 15 July 2022 by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, the 149-metre-long, 6,670-tonne warship is powered by a combination of diesel engines and gas turbines, offering superior speed, endurance, and operational flexibility. It is equipped with an advanced AESA radar, an integrated combat management system, and is armed with BrahMos anti-ship and land-attack cruise missiles — enabling multi-dimensional operations across air, surface, and sub-surface domains.
INS Sanshodhak, the last of four Survey Vessels Large (SVL) built by GRSE, was launched on 13 June 2023. The 110-metre vessel is designed for full-scale coastal and deep-water hydrographic surveys, including port and harbour approaches, navigation channels, and maritime limits. Beyond its primary survey role, it can support helicopter operations, function as a hospital ship, and undertake Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) missions.
INS Agray, launched on 13 March 2024, is one of eight Anti-Submarine Shallow Water Craft (ASWSWC) being built by GRSE. Measuring approximately 77.6 metres in length, it is designed for coastal operations, sub-surface surveillance, and coordinated missions with aircraft. With a shallow draught of about 2.7 metres, it is well-suited for littoral warfare. The vessel carries lightweight torpedoes, anti-submarine warfare rockets, and a 30 mm Naval Surface Gun manufactured at GRSE itself.
GRSE's Record Delivery Streak
The commissioning reinforces GRSE's position as a cornerstone of India's 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' defence agenda. The shipyard has built and delivered a record 118 warships to the Indian Navy and Coast Guard to date, of which 80 have gone to the Navy. INS Agray alone carries nearly 88 per cent indigenous content — one of the highest indigenisation ratios in the current naval build programme.
Strategic Significance
The simultaneous induction of three distinct platform types — a frontline frigate, a hydrographic survey vessel, and an anti-submarine craft — reflects the Navy's push to simultaneously upgrade strike capability, maritime domain awareness, and coastal defence. This comes amid heightened attention to the Indian Ocean Region, where both China's expanding naval footprint and regional maritime security concerns have accelerated India's fleet modernisation timeline. Notably, all three vessels are domestically built, aligning with the government's broader push to reduce defence import dependence.
What Comes Next
With the commissioning ceremony set for 21 June in Kolkata, Prime Minister Modi's presence underscores the political and strategic weight attached to the event. The remaining ASWSWC vessels in GRSE's pipeline are expected to follow in subsequent commissioning batches. Industry observers will watch whether the pace of delivery accelerates further as the Navy works toward its fleet expansion targets.