Indian Navy Gets a Power Boost: 3 New Warships Join Fleet - All You Need to Know

The Indian Navy on Monday inducted three new ships — Dunagiri, Sanshodhak and Agray — built by state-run Garden Reach Shipbuilding and Engineers Ltd, in a move aimed at strengthening its operational capabilities. The vessels were handed over to the Navy in Kolkata, officials said.Dunagiri is a stealth frigate under Project 17A and part of the Nilgiri class of ships. Designed as a multi-mission platform, it is equipped to handle a wide range of maritime challenges. The warship is fitted with advanced weapon systems, including BrahMos missiles, rockets and torpedoes, the Navy said.The ship is also a reincarnation of the earlier INS Dunagiri, a Leander-class frigate that served in the Navy from 1977 to 2010. Officials said the new vessel represents

a significant advancement in design, stealth, automation and survivability, reflecting India’s push for self-reliance in defence manufacturing.

Sanshodhak, the second vessel, is a survey ship capable of conducting coastal and deep-water hydrographic surveys. It is designed to support port development and gather oceanographic and geophysical data for both defence and civilian use.With a displacement of around 3,400 tonnes and a length of 110 metres, Sanshodhak is equipped with modern hydrographic systems, including data acquisition and processing systems, an autonomous underwater vehicle, a remotely operated vehicle and digital side scan sonar. It follows earlier ships of the same class — INS Sandhayak, INS Nirdeshak and INS Ikshak — which were commissioned between 2024 and 2025.

The third vessel, Agray, is an anti-submarine warfare shallow water craft and part of the Arnala class of ships. It is the fourth of eight such vessels being built.Like Dunagiri, Agray is also a reincarnation of an earlier vessel — INS Agray, a patrol ship that was decommissioned in 2017.The Navy said the induction of these ships underscores the growing strength of India’s domestic shipbuilding sector and ongoing efforts to reduce dependence on imports while enhancing maritime security.(With PTI inputs)