Prime Minister Narendra Modi dedicated three new naval combatants – INS Surat, INS Nilgiri and INS Vaghsheer – to the nation at a special ceremony in Mumbai.
The event took place on Army Day, a day to honor the soldiers who protect India. The Prime Minister paid tribute to their bravery and highlighted that today marked an important day for India’s Navy. It was the first time India was commissioning a destroyer, a frigate and a submarine all at once and all three were made in India, showing the country’s progress in building its own defense equipment.
INS Nilgiri is a new stealth frigate, inspired by the naval strength of the Chola dynasty. INS Surat is a modern destroyer, that celebrates Gujarat’s rich maritime history, while INS Vaghsheer is a submarine that strengthens India’s underwater defense. These new ships and submarines will help protect India and also improve its economic and military power.
The Prime Minister also talked about India’s role in global security, especially in the Indo-Pacific region. He highlighted India’s commitment to peace and prosperity, making sure that important sea routes are safe from terrorism, illegal activities and threats to trade.
India is making great progress in its defense industry and the Prime Minister highlighted that over 60 ships are being built in India right now, which creates many jobs and strengthens the economy. He also mentioned the growing number of Indian seafarers, with nearly 3,00,000 people now working in this field.
Modi spoke about how India is improving its military, with many reforms happening, including making more equipment in India rather than relying on imports. The “Make in India” initiative is helping the country become more self-reliant in defense. He also mentioned how the Indian Navy is becoming stronger, with new ships like the INS Vikrant aircraft carrier and nuclear submarines like INS Arihant and INS Arighaat.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also spoke at the ceremony, saying that the commissioning of these three combatants is an important step for India’s security, especially in the Indian Ocean Region, where much of India’s trade happens. He pointed out that more than 75% of the components of these new ships and submarines were made in India, showing the country’s growing defense capabilities.
Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, Chief of Naval Staff, said the new ships would help the Indian Navy protect the country’s maritime interests. He praised everyone who worked hard to make these new combatants a reality.
INS Surat is a large and advanced destroyer with modern weapon systems. INS Nilgiri is a stealth frigate with advanced features, and INS Vaghsheer is a submarine made in India with help from France.
This event marks a big moment in India’s efforts to become a stronger global maritime power. With these new platforms, India is moving closer to its goal of becoming a leader in both defense and maritime security. (PR)