INS Surat to dock at Hazira on Foundation Day
Surat: The wait for citizens of the city to see the first Indian naval ship named after Diamond City will likely end on Thursday when INS Surat docks at Hazira. According to district officials, the stealth guided-missile destroyer of the Indian Navy will be docked at Hazira for two days. With it being
Gujarat Foundation Day
, there is enthusiasm among Surtis to see the ship.
The city's elected leaders and top officials will be present when it arrives at Hazira. The guests will be allowed to have a closer look at the ship.
Surat is the first city in Gujarat to have an Indian naval ship named after it. Surat, the fourth and final ship of the Project 15B stealth destroyer class, was commissioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Naval Dockyard in Mumbai in Jan 2025.
At the request of the Southern Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SGCCI), the Indian Navy considered bringing INS Surat to Hazira. In its letter to SGCCI, an Indian Navy official said, "Commissioning of INS Surat is a tribute to the rich maritime traditions of the city of Surat."
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INS Surat was designed and built entirely at
Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited
(MDL) in Mumbai. The
Project 15B destroyer
, Surat, is the culmination of the follow-on class to the Kolkata-class (Project 15A) destroyers, featuring substantial improvements in design and capabilities. It was designed by the Indian Navy's warship design bureau and is equipped with advanced sensors and weapon packages developed primarily in India or through strategic collaborations with leading global manufacturers.
With modern aviation facilities, INS Surat can operate a range of helicopters, including Chetak, ALH, Sea King and the newly inducted MH-60R, in both day and night operations. Features such as a rail-less helicopter traversing system and a visual aid and landing system ensure seamless operations under all conditions. These ships also include specific accommodations to support a sizable complement of women officers and sailors, aligning with the Navy's progressive steps toward gender inclusion in front-line combat roles.
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