“It is a red-letter day for the Navy, for the country, and for everyone. I can’t express my joy. I can’t tell you how proud I feel,” said Captain Nitin Kapoor, Commanding Officer of INS Nilgiri, one of the three frontline platforms commissioned in the Indian Navy and dedicated to the nation by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday (January 15, 2024). The day is historic for many reasons. This is the first time three frontline naval combatants have been commissioned on the same day.
All the three vessels have been manufactured at Mumbai’s Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited, a proof of India’s growing prowess in designing and building warships. The level of indigenisation on all the three platforms is more than 70%, showcasing a significant leap of the country as a global leader in defence manufacturing and maritime security, say defence officials.
“This tri-commissioning is key to showcase our growing aspirations, a testament to our effort to become a $5 trillion economy. The firepower of INS Nilgiri and its range of attack have increased. The deck rail system has been introduced for the first time in the country. Her heat signature has reduced considerably. The reflecting surfaces have come down. Due to the concealed deck, her stability has increased,” elaborated Captain Kapoor, explaining the features of the stealth frigate.
“We are the first of the class of P-17A. We have a unique and new design, a stealthier platform. This is for the future. It will showcase Indian shipbuilding to the world. We have new concepts such as the SRGM [Super Rapid Gunmount], we have a concealed deck. It is a very strategic platform for our country,” he added.
“57 years ago, the earlier Nilgiri was also made in India. That was at a point when the Indian Navy had shifted from a buyer’s navy to a builder’s navy. Coincidentally, the earlier ship was also manufactured by the Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Private Limited. 57 years hence, we are seeing, our shipbuilding prowess has come of age. We are now designing ships on our own. The Warship Design Bureau of the Indian Navy has designed this ship. The construction is done indigenously. 75% and more indigenous components. We design, manufacture, sustain and run our ships by ourselves now. This is a milestone for atmanirbharta (self-reliance),” Captain Kapoor added.
Women officers and sailors
In a long awaited move, this is the first time that structural changes have been made during the design and construction stage of the ship-building to accommodate women officers and sailors. Separate accommodation with attached bathrooms and a separate mess are available for women. Both INS Surat and INS Nilgiri have made these changes.
The development comes at a time when women officers are being inducted in frontline roles. The women sailors are mostly Agniveers. “It is a great feeling to rub shoulders with the best in the Navy. The experience has been extremely rewarding. To be here on this day, to serve with the finest officers of the Indian Navy, is an honour,” said Lt. Aastha Kamboj, Deputy Logistics Officer of INS Surat, who is a part of the commissioning crew.
When asked about her role on the destroyer, she said, “I look after inventory management, its forecast. The galley is also looked after by the logistics department. It serves 350 meals thrice a day. Apart from that, we take care of the clothing of the personnel on board. In short, the morale-building of the ship lies in the hands of the women officers.” On being asked about how she felt about the structural changes which have been brought about in the new ships to accommodate women, she said the inclusivity was a welcome move.
Speaking of the fourth and last destroyer of Project 15B, INS Surat, her commanding officer Captain Sandeep Shourie said, “This is the last and the best. Both the design and the construction have matured. Even the time taken for construction has come down. From launch to commissioning, we have received her in 31 months. The first ship had taken 54 months. So now, ships are becoming available to the Navy before the contractual time. We are combat-ready and ready to roar. She is the best in class for air, surface, underwater capabilities. She caters to optimum operations. We have twin hangars, so we can operate two multi-role helicopters, which extends the reach of the ship. It is a very capable ship. The endurance of the ship is truly unlimited.”
Captain Vineet Sharma, Commanding Officer of INS Vaghsheer, said, “With this, Project 75 culminates. The old Vaghsheer was commissioned 50 years ago. The new Vaghsheer is the stealthiest and most advanced submarine in the world. It is a conventional diesel electric submarine. She is a greater threat to the adversary due to her long endurance. INS Vagir had covered a distance of 9,000 kilometres to reach the Australian coast. We intend to beat that record.”
Published – January 15, 2025 10:56 pm IST