Three New Naval Warships to Join Indian Navy

The Indian Navy will commission three indigenously built warships on 21 June 2026 in Kolkata. The vessels are INS Dunagiri, INS Agray and INS Sanshodhak, and all three were designed by the Indian Navy’s Warship Design Bureau and built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata.

Project 17A Frigates

INS Dunagiri is the fifth stealth frigate under Project 17A and the second ship of this class built by GRSE. Project 17A frigates are guided-missile warships designed for surface warfare, anti-air warfare and anti-submarine warfare. INS Dunagiri carries BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles, advanced air defence systems and anti-submarine weapons. Project 17A is a follow-on programme to the Shivalik-class frigates and includes stealth features, modern sensors and integrated combat systems.

Anti-Submarine Warfare and Shallow Water Craft

INS Agray is an Arnala-class anti-submarine warfare shallow water craft. It is designed to detect, track and destroy hostile submarines in littoral waters, which are shallow coastal zones close to shore. The vessel is fitted with lightweight torpedoes, anti-submarine rocket launchers and a 30 mm naval gun. Anti-submarine warfare platforms are used to protect naval task forces, ports and sea lanes from submarine threats.

Survey Vessels and Hydrographic Mapping

INS Sanshodhak is the fourth and final ship of the Sandhayak-class survey vessel programme. Survey vessels are used for hydrographic surveys, seabed mapping and collection of underwater data for navigation and maritime operations. INS Sanshodhak carries Autonomous Underwater Vehicles and Remotely Operated Vehicles for underwater survey work. Hydrographic survey ships support chart preparation, port development and safe navigation in coastal and offshore waters.

Important Facts for Exams

• GRSE, Kolkata, is a major Indian shipyard under the Ministry of Defence.
• Project 17A frigates are stealth warships in the Indian Navy.
• Arnala-class vessels are anti-submarine warfare shallow water craft.
• Autonomous Underwater Vehicles and Remotely Operated Vehicles are used in seabed mapping and underwater inspection.

Recent Simultaneous Commissionings

This will be the second recent occasion when the Indian Navy commissions multiple major warships together. In January 2025, INS Surat, INS Nilgiri and INS Vagsheer were commissioned together in Mumbai. The commissioning of these three vessels adds frigate, anti-submarine warfare and survey capabilities to the Indian Navy’s fleet.