The Indian Navy is set to commission nine new warships this year, marking a major fleet expansion in recent years, sources told Zee Business. With a combined value of Rs 18,101 crore, the induction drive will strengthen the country’s naval capabilities in line with the government’s push for indigenous defence manufacturing, they said.
The warships, being built under the government’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat vision, are being developed by three major domestic shipyards—Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd (MDL), Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL) and Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE)—along with one vessel arriving from Russia. All nine ships are in advanced stages of construction or sea trials and are slated for commissioning into active service in 2025, the sources said.
As part of the deal, Mumbai-based Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders will deliver two Project 17A stealth frigates. Designed for air defence, anti-submarine and surface operations, these warships come at a combined cost of Rs 8,000 crore.
Visakhapatnam’s HSL is set to commission two Diving Support Vessels (DSVs) and one Survey Vessel (Large). The DSVs, costing Rs 2,050 crore, will support submarine rescue and deep-sea operations, while the SVL, valued at Rs 2,435 crore, will bolster the Navy’s hydrographic and oceanographic capabilities. All three vessels are scheduled to join the fleet in 2025.
Garden Reach Shipbuilders will commission three Shallow Water Craft (SWCs) out of an eight-ship project. With the total project cost being Rs 6,311.32 crore, the cost of these three shallow water crafts is estimated at Rs 2,366.75 crore. The vessels are set to be crucial for coastal patrol, mine countermeasure operations and littoral security.
Powerful warship from Russia
Completing the lineup is INS Tamal, being delivered from Russia. Built in collaboration with Indian technical specifications, the vessel comes at a cost of Rs 3,250 crore.
The addition of the nine warships is set to improve the Navy’s surface warfare capabilities, enhance underwater mission readiness and strengthen coastal surveillance.
