Rupal Kalebere
Maritime Combat Power and Undersea Warfare
Naval capability development was particularly visible during July, with progress spanning major surface combatants, shallow-water anti-submarine warfare and specialised underwater support.
The most significant frontline addition was the commissioning of INS Mahendragiri on 11 July. The sixth Project 17A frigate to enter service, Mahendragiri was designed by the Indian Navy’s Warship Design Bureau and built by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited. The approximately 6,670-tonne vessel incorporates more than 75 per cent indigenous content and is designed for fleet air defence, anti-surface warfare, anti-submarine warfare, surveillance and maritime interdiction.
The ship incorporates surface-to-surface and surface-to-air missiles, anti-submarine warfare systems, electronic warfare capabilities, modern sensors and an embarked multi-role helicopter. Its induction into the Eastern Fleet strengthens the Navy’s ability to deploy a multi-role surface combatant capable of operating independently or as part of larger naval formations.
Project 17A is also notable from a production-capacity perspective. According to the Navy, the launch-to-delivery period has declined from approximately 63 months to 31 months, while overall construction time has fallen from approximately 95 months to 75 months. More than 200 Indian industries, including MSMEs, participated in construction of Mahendragiri.
The figures are significant because the effectiveness of naval indigenisation depends not only on domestic content but also on the ability to design, integrate and produce sophisticated warships at a sustainable tempo.
Strengthening Littoral Anti-Submarine Warfare
Progress was also recorded in the Navy’s specialised shallow-water anti-submarine warfare fleet.
On 22 July, INS Malvan, the second Mahe-class Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft being built by Cochin Shipyard Limited, was commissioned. It is the sixth of the Navy’s planned 16 ASW-SWCs to enter service and contains more than 80 per cent indigenous content.
The platform is intended for underwater surveillance, anti-submarine warfare, low-intensity maritime operations and mine warfare.
Its role is distinct from that of larger frigates and destroyers. Shallow-water environments present specific acoustic and operational challenges, particularly around naval bases, ports and coastal approaches. Specialised ASW-SWCs provide an additional layer for detecting and responding to underwater threats in these areas.
Progress in serial production continued on 29 July with the launch of Machilipatnam, the seventh of eight ASW-SWCs being constructed by Cochin Shipyard Limited.
The commissioning of Malvan and launch of Machilipatnam within the same month demonstrate that the programme is advancing at multiple stages simultaneously—both through operational induction and continued production.
Deep-Sea and Submarine Rescue Capability
On 30 July, Hindustan Shipyard Limited delivered Nipun, the second indigenous Diving Support Vessel, to the Indian Navy.
Nipun is equipped for deep-sea saturation diving, underwater salvage and remotely operated vehicle operations. More importantly, it can serve as a mother ship for the Navy’s Deep Submergence Rescue Vessel, supporting the evacuation of personnel from submarines during underwater emergencies.
The platform adds an important enabling capability to India’s growing underwater force structure. Expansion of submarine capability creates parallel requirements for rescue, salvage, deep-sea intervention and technical support. Such auxiliary capabilities are therefore integral to sustaining an effective submarine fleet rather than peripheral additions to it.
The July naval developments collectively indicate a broad approach to maritime modernisation. India is simultaneously adding high-end blue-water surface combatants, specialised littoral ASW vessels and undersea support platforms, rather than concentrating capability development solely on major warships.
Indigenous Propulsion and Defence-Industrial Capability
A notable technological development during July was the successful development of an indigenous 350 kg-thrust class expendable turbojet engine.
The engine was designed by DRDO’s Gas Turbine Research Establishment and manufactured and assembled by Azad Engineering, Hyderabad, which delivered the first engine to GTRE on 22 July.
The Ministry of Defence did not identify the specific operational platform for which the engine is intended. Its significance should therefore be assessed primarily in terms of the underlying technological capability rather than an assumed weapon application.
Small turbojet engines require competence in areas including precision manufacturing, advanced metallurgy, thermal management and high-speed rotating machinery. The development therefore represents progress in an area in which India has historically sought greater technological autonomy.
The programme is also illustrative of the changing relationship between DRDO and private industry. GTRE undertook the design, while a domestic private company was responsible for manufacture and assembly. Similar trends were visible in the AEW&C Mk-II programme, where Adani Defence has been brought in as a Development-cum-Production Partner.
This model reflects a gradual shift from private industry operating largely as a supplier towards participation in development, integration, testing and eventual production of complex defence technologies.