Adding to the Indian Navy’s capabilities, the first warship constructed using the advanced ‘integrated construction’ technique is set to be commissioned next month. Part of the Nilgiri-class, the fleet will include seven ships, all scheduled for commissioning by early 2027.
The integrated construction approach involves building different sections of the ship — such as the hull, superstructure and internal systems — as separate blocks, each weighing around 250 tonnes. These precision-built blocks are designed to accommodate cabling and piping, allowing seamless alignment and welding. This modern technique, combined with advanced technology and design software, significantly accelerates shipbuilding, helping India match the pace of European shipyards.
Currently, more than 60 warships and submarines are under construction across multiple Indian shipyards.
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The Nilgiri-class warships, among the most complex ever built in India, are upgraded derivatives of the Shivalik-class frigates, three of which were inducted between 2010 and 2012. The construction timeline for the Nilgiri-class ships is notably faster: the first three ships require 76 months from keel laying to commissioning, while the last four will take only 60 months, compared to the Shivalik class’s average of 108 months.
Following the Nilgiri, its sister ships — Himgiri, Udaygiri, Dunagiri, Taragiri, Vindhyagiri and Mahendragiri — are expected to join the fleet. Four ships are under construction at Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders in Mumbai, and three at Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE) in Kolkata. Both shipyards operate under the Ministry of Defence.
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Equipped with advanced systems, the Nilgiri class features supersonic surface-to-surface missiles, medium-range surface-to-air missiles, upgraded 76-mm guns and rapid-fire close-in weapon systems. With 75 per cent indigenous content, the ships underscore India’s focus on self-reliance in defence production.
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