Recently the PM commissioned three indigenously built naval vessels INS Dunagiri, INS Sanshodhak and INS Agray, highlighting the significance of maritime sector in defence and overall security.
About Naval Vessels
- INS Dunagiri: Fifth Project 17A (Nilgiri-class) stealth guided missile frigate.
- Designed for blue-water operations far from the coast and strengthens India's long-range maritime combat capability.
- Project 17A frigates are versatile multi-mission platforms designed to address current and emerging challenges in the maritime domain and follow-on ships of Shivalik-class (Project 17) frigates.
- INS Sanshodhak: Large Survey Vessel.
- Conducts hydrographic surveys,Seabed mapping etc.
- INS Agray: Arnala-class Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC).
- Protects ports, naval bases and coastal approaches from submarine threats.
Significance of India’s maritime sector for security
- Economic security: Maritime routes carry 95% of India's trade by volume and 70% by value, backbone of India's global trade also Blue Economy contributes ~4% of GDP.
- Strategic Importance: India’s 11,098 km coastline, 2.3 million sq. km Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), and central location in the Indian Ocean through which over 80% of world trade by volume is transported.
- National Security: Maritime capabilities safeguard Sea Lines of Communication (SLOCs), energy imports, offshore resources, and coastal infrastructure strengthening coastal security.
- Net Security Provider: Through initiatives like SAGAR and MAHASAGAR, India promotes regional cooperation, connectivity, and collective security.
