Three new Made-in-India combatants inducted to Navy, PM Modi says 'our country is recognised as reliable partner across the world'

The Indian Navy inducted three state-of-the-art combat platforms - INS Surat, INS Nilgiri and INS Vaghsheer - on Wednesday in presence of prime minister Narendra Modi.

Modi dedicated the three combatants to the nation during their commissioning at the Naval Dockyard in Mumbai this morning.

Speaking on the occasion, the prime minister underlined how India is now recognised in the global map as a reliable partner which doesn't intend to expand but develop.

"Today India is being recognised as a reliable and responsible partner across the world and especially in the Global South. India works in the spirit of development and not expansionism," Modi said.

"India has emerged as the First Responder across the entire Indian Ocean Region. In the last couple of months, our Navy has saved thousands of lives and secured national and international cargo worth millions. This has led to increased trust in India from around the world," he said.

The Indian Navy posted on X on this occasion, "Three Titans; One Remarkable Day. A proud moment in India’s journey of maritime excellence and self-reliance!"

Touching upon how India is rapidly turning into the third-largest economy of the world.

The prime minister said, "India is swiftly progressing towards becoming the world's third-largest economy. This growth will require a significant demand for containers and ships. As a result, the port-led development model will not only accelerate economic growth but also create substantial employment opportunities.

"The rise in employment in this sector can be observed through the increasing number of Indian seafarers. In 2014, India had fewer than 1.25 lakh seafarers, but this number has now risen to approximately 3 lakh. Today, India proudly holds the 5th position globally in terms of the number of seafarers."

The commissioning of three major naval combatants marks a significant leap forward in realizing India’s vision of becoming a global leader in defence manufacturing and maritime security.

INS Surat, the fourth and final ship of the P15B Guided Missile Destroyer Project, ranks among the largest and most sophisticated destroyers in the world.

It has an indigenous content of 75% and is equipped with state-of-the-art weapon-sensor packages and advanced network-centric capabilities.

INS Nilgiri, the first ship of the P17A Stealth Frigate Project, has been designed by the Indian Navy’s Warship Design Bureau and incorporates advanced features for enhanced survivability, seakeeping, and stealth, reflecting the next generation of indigenous frigates.

INS Vaghsheer, the sixth and final submarine of the P75 Scorpene Project, represents India’s growing expertise in submarine construction and has been constructed in collaboration with the Naval Group of France.

Speaking on the significant push to 'Make in India' in the Navy, the prime minister said, "We are taking a significant step towards empowering the Indian Navy of the 21st century. It's for the first time that a destroyer, a frigate, and a submarine, all three are being commissioned together

"Above all, these frontline platforms are Made-in-India..."