Surat, NFAPost: In a historic ceremony held on November 6th, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel revealed the crest of the Indian Navy’s latest warship, aptly named ‘Surat.’ This unveiling marked a significant milestone, as ‘Surat’ became the first warship to bear the name of a city in Gujarat, underscoring the region’s rich maritime heritage.
The event, graced by the presence of Chief of Naval Staff Admiral R Hari Kumar, Vice Admiral Dinesh Kumar Tripathi, and Rear Admiral Anil Jaggi, among other senior officers, took place in the city that inspired the ship’s namesake. Surat, historically renowned for its bustling maritime trade and shipbuilding prowess during the 16th to 18th centuries, boasts a legacy of constructing ships known for their exceptional longevity, with some vessels serving for over a century. This deep-rooted connection adds a layer of significance to the warship’s name.
‘Surat’ is a key component of the ‘Project 15B’ initiative, a program dedicated to the development of four cutting-edge stealth-guided missile destroyers. The vessel, currently in construction at the Mazagon Dock Limited in Mumbai, stands as a testament to India’s dedication to indigenous, state-of-the-art warship technology and strategic military progress.
The Indian Navy, established on September 5, 1612, has grown exponentially, now boasting over 130 surface warships, with an additional 67 warships currently in various stages of construction. This represents a profound commitment to national security. The ‘Make in India’ and ‘Atma Nirbharta’ initiatives have played a pivotal role in this growth, with an impressive 65 of the 67 warships under construction being built in Indian shipyards, demonstrating India’s self-reliance and indigenous manufacturing capabilities.
Naming Indian naval vessels after prominent cities is a longstanding naval tradition, signifying the deep connection between the Indian Navy and the nation’s heritage. The decision to christen the latest, technologically advanced warship after the city of Surat reflects a deep sense of pride in both Surat’s maritime legacy and the enduring importance of linking the past with future naval endeavours in India.
