January 15 is going to be a historic day in Indian history when Prime Minister Narendra Modi will induct three frontline warships—Nilgiri, Surat and Waghshir—into the Indian Navy. On this occasion, these warships will be dedicated to the Indian Navy, which will increase the combat capability of the Navy and strengthen the indigenous shipbuilding position of the country.
A statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office said that these three major warships are an important step towards realizing India’s dream of becoming a global leader in Indian defense manufacturing and maritime security. According to the Navy, Waghshir is one of the quietest and most versatile diesel-electric submarines in the world.
Giving information about these warships, the Navy said that they have been designed to carry out a variety of missions including anti-surface warfare, anti-submarine warfare, intelligence gathering, area surveillance and special operations. The Waghshir submarine includes wire-guided torpedoes, anti-ship missiles and advanced sonar systems.
Features of battleships
- Nilgiri: It is the lead frigate of Project 17A, representing a major advancement over the Shivalik-class frigates. It includes state-of-the-art technology and important stealth features.
- Surat: This is the Project 15B destroyer, the next version of the Kolkata-class destroyers. Substantial improvements have been made in its design and capabilities. Both the warships have been designed by the Indian Navy’s Warship Design Bureau and are equipped with advanced sensors and weapon systems.
The Nilgiris and Surat have modern aviation facilities, which make it possible to operate various helicopters both day and night. These warships also include special arrangements for women officers and sailors, reflecting the Navy’s efforts towards gender inclusion.
Capabilities of Waghshir submarine
Waghshir, the sixth Scorpene-class submarine developed under the Kalvari-class Project 75, is designed to perform a variety of missions. It specializes in anti-surface warfare, anti-submarine warfare, and intelligence gathering. The submarine has a modular construction system, allowing for future upgrades, such as the integration of Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) technology.
