Indian Navy ushers in two indigenous warships
Visakhapatnam: In a major boost to indigenous warship building and strengthen maritime capabilities, the fifth ship of Nilgiri Class (Project 17A) Dunagiri (Yard 3023) and the last Survey Vessel (Large) ship Sanshodhak (Yard 3028), steered by the Indian Navy’s Warship Design Bureau, were delivered to the Indian Navy.
Built at Garden Reach Shipbuilding and Engineers Ltd (GRSE), the ships are equipped with not just indigenous content but also advanced systems. The induction of these warships marks a major milestone in achieving self-reliance in warship design and construction. Project 17A frigates are versatile multi-mission platforms, designed to address current and future challenges in the maritime domain. Dunagiri is a reincarnation of the erstwhile INS Dunagiri, a Leander-class frigate, which was part of the Indian Navy fleet from May 5, 1977 to October 10, 2010, rendering 33 years of glorious service to the nation. This state-of-the-art frigate reflects a quantum leap in naval design, stealth,
firepower, automation and survivability and is an admirable symbol of Aatmanirbharta in warship building.
With an indigenisation content of 75 percent, the project has involved over 200 MSMEs and has enabled employment generation of approximately 4,000 personnel directly and more than 10,000 personnel indirectly. Designed by the Warship Design Bureau (WDB) and overseen by the Warship Overseeing Team (Kolkata), P17A frigates reflect a generational leap in indigenous ship design, stealth, survivability and combat capability. Driven by
the philosophy of integrated construction, the ship was built and delivered as envisaged. Compared to the P17 (Shivalik) class, P17A ships are fitted with an advanced weapon and sensor suite. These ships are configured with Combined Diesel or Gas (CODOG) propulsion plants, comprising a diesel engine and a gas turbine that drive a Controllable Pitch Propeller (CPP) on each shaft and a state-of-the-art integrated platform management system (IPMS).
The potent weapons and sensors suite comprise BrahMos SSM, MFSTAR and MRSAM complex, 76mm SRGM, and a combination of 30 mm and 12.7 mm close-in weapon system, along with rocket and torpedoes for anti- submarine warfare.
LSV Sanshodhak joins fleet
Sanshodhak (Yard 3028), the last Survey Vessel (Large) ship steered by the Indian Navy’s Warship Design Bureau, being built at GRSE, Kolkata was delivered to the Indian Navy.
Sanshodhak has an indigenous content exceeding 80 percent by cost and its delivery stands a testimony to the relentless efforts of the Government of India and the Indian Navy towards Aatmanirbhar Bharat and a tribute to the collaborative efforts of a large number of stake holders, MSMEs and the Indian industry in enhancing the maritime prowess of the nation in the Indian Ocean Region.
Designed and built as per classification rules of Indian Register of Shipping by the GRSE, the SVL ship is capable of full-scale coastal and deep-water hydrographic survey of port/harbour approaches and determination of navigational channels/ routes. The ship's role also includes collecting oceanographic and geophysical data for defence and civil applications.
With a displacement of about 3,400 tons and an overall length 110 meters, Sanshodhak is fitted with state-of-the-art hydrographic equipment such as data acquisition and processing system, autonomous underwater vehicle, remotely operated vehicle, DGPS long-range positioning systems, digital side scan sonar, etc., Powered by two diesel engines, the ship can achieve speeds in excess of 18 knots. Both Dunagiri and Sanshodak join the fleet on March 30.
