The year 2024 saw some major inductions and commissioning of various defence platforms, enhancing the capabilities of India's armed forces. These included the commissioning of INS Arighaat, the second Arihant-Class submarine.
INS Arighaat
The second Arihant-Class submarine ‘INS Arighaat’ was commissioned into the Indian Navy on August 29 at Visakhapatnam. According to defence ministry, the construction of INS Arighaat involved the use of advanced design and manufacturing technology, detailed research and development, utilisation of special materials, complex engineering and highly skilled workmanship. The submarine is equipped with indigenous systems conceptualised, designed, manufactured and integrated by the Indian scientists, industry and Naval personnel.
INS Tushil
The latest multi-role stealth-guided missile frigate was commissioned into the Indian Navy on December 09, 2024. It is an upgraded Krivak III class frigate of the Project 1135.6 of which, six are already in service – three Talwar class ships, built at Baltiysky shipyard, St. Petersburg, and three follow-on Teg class ships, built at Yantar shipyard, Kaliningrad. INS Tushil, the seventh in the series, is the first of the two upgraded additional follow-on ships, the contract for which was signed in October 2016 between JSC Rosoboronexport, the Indian Navy and the government of India. Armed with a range of advanced weapons, it is designed for blue water operations across the spectrum of naval warfare in all four dimensions—air, surface, underwater and electromagnetic.
LCH Prachand
The induction of all Light Combat Helicopters LSP was completed in February 2024. “IAF personnel were vigorously trained on the system and the LCH successfully participated in Ex Gagan Shakti in April 2024,” the defence ministry stated.
