PM Modi Commissions 3 Warships in Kolkata, Says India Transformed from Defence Buyer to Builder

Kolkata (IANS): Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared on Sunday that a country can only talk of peace when it possesses the capability to defend itself. He made the statement while commissioning three major warships into the Indian Navy at Kolkata’s Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) Ltd.

“No country can progress unless it is a capable maritime power. The seas drive our economy, progress, and growth,” PM Modi said, emphasizing that oceans house critical minerals and vital submarine satellite cables. “India understands the importance of maritime strength and is preparing itself accordingly.”

The Prime Minister commissioned three cutting-edge vessels simultaneously:

• INS Dunagiri: An advanced stealth guided-missile frigate (75% indigenous content).
• INS Sanshodhak: A large survey ship (over 80% indigenous content).
• INS Agray: An anti-submarine warfare shallow-water craft (over 80% indigenous content).

GRSE had previously delivered all three warships together to the Indian Navy on March 30.

From Buyer to Builder: India’s Defence Export Boom

Highlighting India’s rapid shift toward self-reliance (Atmanirbharta), PM Modi contrasted the country’s current manufacturing prowess with its past.

“We used to be the largest buyer of defence equipment until 2014. That has now changed. We do not want to be a buyer; we want to be a builder,” the Prime Minister asserted.

He revealed a massive jump in India’s defence trade:

• 2014: India’s defence exports stood at just ₹700 crore.
• 2026: Defence exports have skyrocketed to ₹40,000 crore, reaching more than 80 countries.

To sustain this momentum, the government has earmarked ₹70,000 crore specifically for domestic shipbuilding, alongside upgrading ports and establishing multi-modal logistics networks.

Boosting Local Economy and MSMEs

The Prime Minister underlined that shipbuilding serves as a massive employment generator rather than just an industrial sector.

“Shipbuilding requires steel, electronics, and spares. Thousands of companies are engaged in building them. More than 200 MSMEs played a role in constructing these three warships,” PM Modi said, praising the local workforce and resources. He also lauded West Bengal’s rich talent pool and historical skills in the maritime sector.

Navy Records Faster Construction Timelines

Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Krishna Swaminathan, revealed that GRSE built the INS Dunagiri in 33% less time than the previous frigate of its class. He also commended the growing collaboration with private shipyards in constructing specialized vessels like the INS Agray.