The Indian Navy will commission the first Multi-Purpose Vessel Samarthak and the Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft Mangrol this October. These ships boost the Aatmanirbhar Bharat vision, showing how domestic shipyards now deliver complex platforms. This expansion is among the most aggressive in recent naval history, strengthening India’s maritime reach.

These October inductions are a transformation in domestic defence manufacturing. The current single-year expansion phase is among the most aggressive in recent naval history

In a major display of indigenous shipbuilding capability, the Indian Navy is set to commission multiple surface platforms this October.

The accelerated induction drive is pushing India’s ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ vision directly to the frontlines. The upcoming fleet additions include the first Multi-Purpose Vessel, Samarthak, and the Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft, Mangrol.

Built at the Larsen and Toubro shipyard in Kattupalli, Samarthak marks a new capability segment for the maritime force. Featuring over 75 per cent domestic components, the vessel will function as a vital trial and evaluation platform for next-generation naval systems. Beyond testing advanced tech, the ship is built to deploy rapidly for maritime surveillance and disaster relief operations across the Indian Ocean Region.

Joining the MPV in October is Mangrol, an anti-submarine warfare shallow water craft. Designed to track and neutralise hostile submarines in coastal waters, Mangrol will sharpen the Navy’s near-shore deterrence at a time of growing underwater threats.

These October inductions are a transformation in domestic defence manufacturing. Indian shipyards are now delivering complex warfighting platforms on strict timelines that are reducing the Navy’s reliance on foreign builds.

This industrial momentum was on full display on August 31, when the Navy commissioned INS Nipun in Mumbai. Built by Hindustan Shipyard Limited, the specialised Diving Support Vessel handles deep-sea saturation diving and underwater rescue missions, marking the eighth indigenous induction of 2026.

The current single-year expansion phase is among the most aggressive in recent naval history. The surge began on February 27 with the anti-submarine craft INS Anjadip, followed by the Project 17A stealth frigate INS Taragiri on April 3. The scale of this modernisation peaked on June 21, when the Navy executed a rare triple-commissioning. The stealth frigate INS Dunagiri, large survey vessel INS Sanshodhak, and shallow water craft INS Agray simultaneously joined the active fleet on the same day.

The shipyards maintained this aggressive pace through the summer, adding the stealth frigate INS Mahendragiri on July 11 and the Mahe-class shallow water craft INS Malvan on July 22.