3 indigenous warships dedicated to the Navy in a ceremony organized at Kolkata Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Port.

New Delhi . Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday dedicated to the nation three state-of-the-art indigenous warships INS Agray, INS Dunagiri and INS Modihar for the Indian Navy at a grand ceremony held at Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Port in Kolkata, West Bengal. On this occasion, in the presence of the Navy Chief and senior military officers, the Prime Minister cut the ribbon and formally inducted the three ships into the Navy.

In the program organized, the Prime Minister congratulated the Navy and the scientists, engineers and workers associated with these operations. He said that the world is witness to the fact that without maritime capabilities no country can become a great power because development, security and prosperity are linked to the sea. Today most of the world’s trade takes place through the sea and the vast networks of data connecting the world also pass under the sea. In future, essential minerals, deep sea resources and new sources of energy will also be linked to the sea.

Meanwhile, the National Flag and Naval Ensign were hoisted along with the traditional bugle sound at the official entry of the three military ships into the Navy. On the occasion of ‘World Hydrography Day’ on 21st June, the country’s most advanced survey ship INS Mahavidh was made a part of the Navy. On this occasion, the Prime Minister inspected the ships and met the crew members deployed on them and encouraged them.

Emphasizing on self-reliance in the defense sector, the Prime Minister said that India does not want to remain a mere buyer of defense equipment, but is emerging as a major manufacturer. He said that in the last few years, the Indian Navy has included more than 40 ‘Made in India’ warships and submarines in its fleet. He said that the journey from INS Vikrant till today is a symbol of India’s growing self-reliance.

While sharing the figures of defense production, the Prime Minister said that in the year 2014, the country’s defense production was about Rs 40 thousand crores, which has now increased to Rs 1.8 lakh crores. At the same time, defense exports have increased from Rs 700 crore to about Rs 40 thousand crore and today Indian defense products are being exported to about 80 countries.

The Prime Minister said that now the time has come for the country to reach the next level of sea power. Accordingly, India is moving forward with a new vision for the shipbuilding sector. Several policy reforms have been undertaken in recent years and special steps have been taken to increase domestic manufacturing capacity. Shipbuilding, ship repair and MRO (maintenance, repair and overhaul) are being seen as a major national mission.

He said that this port is named after the country’s first Industry Minister, Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee and the role of West Bengal is going to be very important in the new maritime era in which India is moving today. There is immense potential here for ports, industries, talent and skills that can take the maritime economy to new heights. In the coming times, West Bengal will become an important center of India’s blue economy, maritime manufacturing, logistics and coastal development.

It is noteworthy that these three ships, designed by the Warship Design Bureau of the Indian Navy, have been built by Kolkata-based Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE). More than 75 percent indigenous material has been used in their construction and more than 200 MSMEs have participated.

INS Dunagiri is a 6,670 tonne and 149 meter long state-of-the-art stealth frigate built under Project-17A. It is equipped with BrahMos missiles and medium range surface-to-air missile system.

INS Agray is an Arnala class anti-submarine warfare shallow water craft. This 77 meter long warship is capable of detecting and destroying enemy submarines in shallow sea areas.

INS Mahavidh is a 3,400 tonne advanced hydrographic survey vessel, which will play an important role in hydrographic survey, ocean mapping and collection of marine scientific data. It is equipped with modern underwater and remotely operated survey systems.