IRS strengthens India’s naval expansion with classification and certification of indigenous defence platforms

Indian Register of Shipping (IRS) continues its contribution to India’s defence capabilities with a series of significant milestones recently achieved by leading Indian shipyards for defence vessels.
 


Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Ltd. (GRSE) on 31st March 2026, delivered two frontline Naval platforms ‘INS Sanshodhak’, and ‘INS Agray’, built under single class of IRS, to the Indian Navy, further reinforcing India’s indigenous shipbuilding capabilities.  ‘INS Sanshodhak’, the fourth and final Survey Vessel (Large) in its Class, is equipped with advanced hydrographic and oceanographic capabilities, enabling critical support for both defence operations and civil maritime requirements.
 


‘INS Agray’ is the fourth Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) ship of the series of most-silent Naval platforms with advanced stealth features, designed for critical naval operations including underwater surveillance, search and rescue, and Low Intensity Maritime Operations (LIMO). The vessel is capable of conducting Anti-Submarine Warfare operations in coastal waters, as well as carrying out advanced mine-laying missions.
 


On the same day, Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) marked a notable achievement with the launch of ‘INS Shachi’, first of the Next-Generation Offshore Patrol Vessels (NGOPVs) for the Indian Navy, as well as the delivery of ‘ICGS Achal’, the fourth Fast Patrol Vessel (FPV) to the Indian Coast Guard.
 


IRS says this rare achievement of four milestones on the same day underscores the growing efficiency and maturity of India’s shipbuilding ecosystem, thereby strengthening the nation’s maritime surveillance and coastal security capabilities.  The developments also highlight the strong progress of India’s maritime sector under the ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ [self-reliant India] and ‘Make in India’ initiatives. The increasing indigenous content in these vessels is a testament to the country’s expanding industrial base and technological capabilities, supported by IRS, thereby promoting confidence and credibility in complex indigenous shipbuilding programmes.
 


Cdr KK Dhawan (pictured), Head Defence at IRS said: “As India continues to expand its naval and coast guard fleets, IRS remains committed to partnering with shipyards and maritime stakeholders to deliver safe, reliable, and future-ready assets. IRS is proud to contribute to strengthening the nation’s maritime future, ensuring ‘Atmanirbharta’ in indigenous equipment and in Indian ship classification.”