Vagsheer, the 6th submarine of the Kalvari-class submarines built under Project-75, undergoing sea trials. (File photo)
New Delhi: India is on the verge of a significant boost to its naval strength, with plans to add 12 new warships to its fleet over the next year. This move is part of a broader strategy to enhance the Indian Navy’s readiness and dominance in the Indian Ocean region. However, will the Navy be able to induct 12 warships within just a year?
Recent reports and past announcements indicate that the Navy will receive a mix of vessels, including one destroyer, five frigates, one submarine, two corvettes, and three survey vessels in the next 12 months from now. Let’s see the what the warships in the line of induction their and their delivery schedule.
The destroyer
The destroyer, Surat, is the fourth and final ship of the Visakhapatnam-class destroyers that are equipped with advanced weaponry, including vertically launched surface-to-air missiles and long-range cruise missiles. Surat is expected to be delivered by the end of this year, marking a significant milestone for India's naval capabilities.
The Frigates
Three of the five frigates are part of the Project-17A (Nilgiri-class) programme while two are Talwar-class frigates. These ships are being constructed at Mazagon Dock Limited (MDL) in Mumbai and Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE) in Kolkata. The lead ship from MDL, Nilgiri, has already started basin trials and is set for delivery within this financial year. The second ship, Udaygiri, is also expected to be delivered by the end of the financial year 2024-25, provided it completes its basin trials on schedule. Himgiri, the third of the Nilgiri-class frigates, is expected to be delivered around August 2025.
The two Talwar-class frigates – Tushil and Tamala – are scheduled for delivery in September 2024 and February 2025. These two warships are built at the Yantar Shipyard in Russia’s Kaliningrad.
The Submarine
The submarine – Vagsheer – set for delivery is part of the Kalvari-class (Scorpene-class) programme named Project-75, which has already seen five submarines inducted into the Navy. These diesel-electric attack submarines are equipped with advanced stealth features and can launch anti-ship missiles and torpedoes. It is scheduled for induction into the Navy in December 2024.
The Corvettes
The two anti-submarine warfare shallow-water craft corvettes (ASW-SWC) – Arnala and Mahe – are scheduled for delivery in November 2024 and August 2025 respectively. They are a part of the 16 ASW-SWCs being built at Chennai and Kolkata by Larsen & Toubro and GRSE. These two companies will build eight of these corvettes each.
The Survey Vessels
The three survey vessels – Nirdeshak, Ikshak, and Sanshodhak, which are also crucial additions to the Indian Navy’s surface fleet, are scheduled to be inducted into the Navy in September 2024, March 2025, and June 2025 respectively. Built by the GRSE in Kolkata, they are expected to play a vital role in hydrographic surveys, aiding in the safe navigation of naval and merchant ships.
Current Status of Warship Construction
India’s shipbuilding industry is bustling with activity, with 50 warships under various stages of construction. These projects are spread across six Indian shipyards and two Russian shipyards, reflecting a blend of domestic and international collaboration. The vessels under construction range from early fabrication stages to those nearing sea trials.
Among the notable projects is the Project 15B (Visakhapatnam-class) destroyers, which are being built at MDL. This project is a follow-on to the Kolkata-class destroyers under Project 15A and includes four ships, three of which have already been delivered. The fourth ship, INS Surat, is expected to join the Navy’s fleet by the end of this year.
The construction of Nilgiri-class frigates under Project-17A is another significant undertaking. This project involves the construction of seven frigates, with four being built at MDL and three at GRSE. The lead ships at both shipyards have made substantial progress, with deliveries expected within the next financial year.
Additionally, the Navy is working on the follow-on Project-17B, which aims to build seven to eight more advanced frigates with higher indigenous content and long-range surface-to-air missiles. This project, valued at approximately ₹70,000 crore (around $8.3 billion), is expected to begin with the issuance of a request for proposal (RFP) by September 2025.
The delivery of these 12 warships, if made on time as scheduled, will significantly enhance the Navy’s operational capabilities within a very short time and bolster the country’s maritime presence in the Indian Ocean region.
