PM Modi To Commission Advanced Stealth Frigate INS Dunagiri In Kolkata

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will commission the highly advanced, guided-missile stealth frigate INS Dunagiri into the Indian Navy in Kolkata on Sunday, June 21, marking a massive leap forward in India’s maritime defense capabilities and indigenous warship manufacturing.

The advanced Nilgiri-class guided-missile stealth frigate INS Dunagiri is scheduled for induction by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Kolkata on June 21. This modern warship inherits its name from a previous vessel commissioned nearly 49 years ago.

Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) Ltd constructed the vessel, delivering it on March 30 alongside INS Sanshodhak and INS Agray. Prime Minister Modi will simultaneously commission all three new naval warships during the weekend ceremony.

This upcoming induction delivers a highly digital, radar-evading warship engineered under the Navy’s Project 17A framework. In stark contrast, the legacy INS Dunagiri (F36) operated as a steam-driven Leander-class frigate, measuring 113.38 meters with a 2,692-tonne displacement, whereas the new variant spans 149 meters and displaces 6,670 tonnes.

Mazagon Docks manufactured the original 1977 vessel utilizing a licensed foreign blueprint. Conversely, domestic production drove the development of this modern iteration, achieving an indigenous component ratio of approximately 75%.

An official noted the previous ship featured a traditional steel superstructure that reflected highly visible signatures on hostile radar systems. The newly designed frigate utilizes complex stealth geometry and specialized radar-absorbent materials, minimizing its radar cross-section to operate virtually undetected across marine environments.

Weaponry upgrades are equally substantial, replacing the historical twin 115 mm Vickers guns with a rapid-firing 127 mm main gun system. The original F36 hull lacked anti-ship missile systems, but the contemporary Dunagiri carries BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles alongside Vertical Launch System cells housing Medium Range Surface to Air Missiles.

While the older Leander-class vessel supported just a solitary Sea King or Chetak helicopter, the Nilgiri-class iteration provides an expanded flight deck. This configuration permits the deployment and maintenance of two multi-role maritime helicopters, including the ALH Dhruv Mark-III or the MH-60R Seahawk.

The official emphasized the deep domestic integration within the modern platform, highlighting that its structural hull consists entirely of local DMR 249A shipbuilding steel. Additionally, its Integrated Platform Management System features domestic automation to supervise the complex Combined Diesel or Gas propulsion configuration, auxiliary networks, and electrical units.

Local factories manufactured and integrated the warship’s Controllable Pitch Propellers. These specialized components dynamically alter their blade pitch to maximize fuel optimization during low-signature cruising operations or rapid tactical maritime maneuvers.

The vessel features domestic rocket launchers, torpedo delivery systems, and a 76 mm Super Rapid Gun Mount for air defense, supplemented by twin 12.7 mm Stabilised Remote-Controlled Guns. It incorporates the local HUMSA-NG Sonar Suite and the Shakti Electronic Warfare Suite.

Engineers re-engineered the flight deck and telescopic hangars to support the Advanced Light Helicopter Dhruv Mk-III. This specific aviation upgrade significantly enhances the platform’s over-the-horizon monitoring capabilities and its specialized anti-submarine warfare operations.

Historical Context

The resurrection of the INS Dunagiri name illustrates the evolution of Indian naval doctrine over the last half-century. The original Leander-class frigate was built in an era when the nation relied on external assistance, utilizing foreign blueprints and standard structural steel that offered minimal protection against modern tracking.

Over the decades, the strategic requirements of the Indian Ocean Region transformed, necessitating highly stealthy and heavily armed platforms. Project 17A represents the culmination of this transition, swapping legacy steam propulsion for automated systems and integrating domestic assets like BrahMos missiles, advanced sonar suites, and localized electronic warfare defenses.

This shift highlights the industrial expansion of Indian defense shipyards, transitioning from simple assembly lines to advanced production centers. The commissioning of three warships simultaneously demonstrates the scale of contemporary domestic manufacturing, reinforcing maritime security through independent technological development.

FAQs

When will INS Dunagiri be commissioned?

The advanced frigate will be formally commissioned into service by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday, June 21, 2026.

What is the indigenous content percentage of the new warship?

The modern stealth frigate features an indigenous content of approximately 75%, utilizing domestic steel and locally produced weapon and propulsion control systems.

Which missiles are equipped on the modern INS Dunagiri?

The vessel is armed with BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles for surface strikes along with Vertical Launch System cells for Medium Range Surface to Air Missiles.

How does the new frigate compare in size to the legacy version?

The modern ship is 149 meters long with a displacement of 6,670 tonnes, whereas the original 1977 vessel was 113.38 meters long with a 2,692-tonne displacement.