The INS Nilgiri is armed with eight BrahMos missiles. It also has Barak missiles to defend against air attacks, along with torpedoes and rockets to deal with submarines.
On December 20, 2024, India reached an important milestone in its self-reliance journey by delivering two warships to the Indian Navy: a destroyer named Surat and a frigate called Nilgiri. Both ships were designed and built in India by the Navy’s Warship Design Bureau and MDL
(Mumbai’s Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited )
The keel of the Surat was laid on November 7, 2019, and it was launched on May 17, 2022. It was delivered to the Indian Navy just 31 months after its launch, making it the fastest indigenous destroyer ever built. The ship started its Contractor Sea Trials (testing by the builders) on June 15, 2024, and completed its Final Machinery Trials on November 25, 2024, achieving this in just six months.
The keel of the Nilgiri was laid on December 28, 2017, and it was launched on September 28, 2019. The ship began its first sea trials in August 2024 and has since gone through a thorough series of tests both in the harbor and at sea, leading up to its delivery now.
Understanding Frigates and Destroyers in the Indian Navy
Frigates and destroyers are among the most common types of warships in many navies. Both types are designed for speed and are used to escort and protect larger ships from threats in the air, on the surface, and underwater.
In India, frigates are smaller, lighter, and faster naval vessels primarily utilized for escort duties and anti-submarine operations. They typically have a displacement ranging from 3000 to 5000 tons and are about 126 meters long. In contrast, destroyers are larger, heavier, and more heavily armed ships, designed for long-range missions and providing defense against air and submarine threats. They usually have a displacement of 5000 to 8000 tons and measure around 163 meters in length.
As of 2024, the Indian Navy boasts a formidable fleet of frigates and destroyers. The frigates include INS Shivalik, INS Satpura, INS Sahyadri, INS Teg, INS Tarkash, INS Trikand, INS Nilgiri, and INS Himgiri. In addition to these, the Navy operates several destroyers, namely INS Kolkata, INS Kochi, INS Chennai, INS Visakhapatnam, INS Mormugao, INS Imphal, and INS Surat. Together, these ships play a crucial role in enhancing the Navy’s maritime capabilities and ensuring the security of India’s waters.
INS Surat is a Visakhapatnam-class destroyer, measuring 163 meters in length and displacing around 7,400 tons. It features advanced weapons and sensors for multi-domain maritime operations.
INS Nilgiri is a stealth frigate, 126 meters long, with a displacement of approximately 6,500 tons. It is equipped with advanced sensors and weapon systems for multi-role operations.
The guided-missile destroyer INS Surat is the fourth and final ship in the Visakhapatnam class. Meanwhile, INS Nilgiri is the first of seven stealth-guided missile frigates in its class.
Both warships will soon be officially inducted into the Indian Navy. They are equipped with advanced weapon systems, communication tools, and radar technology.
INS Surat: Advanced Destroyer with AI
The INS Surat is a large warship that weighs 7,400 tons and can accommodate 300 sailors. It can operate at sea for up to 45 days, travel 15,000 km, and reach speeds of 62 km/h. The ship can carry 16 BrahMos missiles and 32 Barak missiles for air defense. Notably, it is the first Indian Navy warship to use artificial intelligence, enhancing its operational capabilities.
The INS Surat can also carry two Dhruv helicopters armed with torpedoes and rockets to target enemy submarines. It features the Shakti electronic warfare system, along with Kavach decoys to mislead enemy missiles and the Marich torpedo defense system for protection against submarines. The Indian Navy has a total of 12 guided-missile destroyers from the Delhi, Visakhapatnam, and Rajput classes.
INS Nilgiri: Stealth Frigate with Advanced Weapons
The Indian Navy is building seven Nilgiri-class frigates, and the INS Nilgiri is the first one delivered. It was launched in September 2019. Weighing over 6,500 tons, the Nilgiri can hold 226 sailors and one helicopter.
The INS Nilgiri is armed with eight BrahMos missiles. It also has Barak missiles to defend against air attacks, along with torpedoes and rockets to deal with submarines.
The INS Nilgiri is a stealth frigate, designed to avoid detection by enemy radar. In August, MDL suggested to Brazil that they work together to produce six more frigates of this class. Right now, the Indian Navy has a total of 12 guided missile frigates from the Shivalik, Talwar, and Brahmaputra classes.
