What happened?
Prime Minister Narendra Modi dedicated three frontline naval combatants to the nation upon their commissioning on January 15, 2025. These naval combatants –Nilgiri, the lead ship of the Project 17A stealth frigate class; Surat, the fourth and final ship of the Project 15B stealth destroyer class; and Vaghsheer, the sixth and final submarine of the Scorpene-class project, were commissioned at the Naval Dockyard in Mumbai.
Why it matters to India
All three platforms have been designed and constructed entirely at Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL), Mumbai, a testament to India’s growing self-reliance in the critical domain of defence production. A statement from the prime minister’s office stated that the commissioning of the three major naval combatants marks a significant leap in realising India’s vision of becoming a global leader in defence manufacturing and maritime security.