Why in news?
INS Surat exercised with Japan’s JS Takanami on 8 July 2026. The Passage Exercise took place off the Mumbai coast, and the ships practised communication procedures and coordinated manoeuvres. The activity ended with a ceremonial steam-past.
Background
INS Surat is a stealth guided-missile destroyer, and it is the fourth and final Project 15B ship. Project 15B vessels are also called the Visakhapatnam class.
The Indian Navy’s Warship Design Bureau designed the class. Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited built INS Surat in Mumbai, and the ship contains about 75% indigenous content.
Evolution of India’s indigenous destroyers
- Project 15: Three Delhi-class destroyers entered service from 1997 to 2001.
- Project 15A: Three Kolkata-class destroyers followed from 2014 to 2016.
- Project 15B: Four Visakhapatnam-class destroyers followed from 2021.
The four Project 15B ships are INS Visakhapatnam, INS Mormugao, INS Imphal and INS Surat. Each successive project improved stealth, sensors and combat management.
Construction timeline
- The keel was laid on 7 November 2019; the ship was launched on 17 May 2022.
- The Navy received it on 20 December 2024; it was commissioned on 15 January 2025.
Delivery took 31 months from launch, and this made Surat the fastest indigenous destroyer delivered at that time. The same day also brought delivery of the frigate Nilgiri.
Major features
- The ship displaces about 7,400 tonnes and measures about 164 metres.
- Four gas turbines use a Combined Gas and Gas propulsion arrangement.
- The ship exceeded 30 knots during its sea trials.
- Its weapons include missiles, torpedoes and a naval gun.
- The ship can also operate embarked helicopters.
The Navy also described Surat as its first AI-enabled warship, and indigenous artificial-intelligence tools support operational efficiency. This does not mean the ship operates without human command.
What is a PASSEX?
PASSEX means Passage Exercise, and navies conduct it when their ships pass through the same area. It is usually shorter than a planned large exercise.
A PASSEX can include communication drills and formation manoeuvres, and it may also include helicopter operations or replenishment practice. The exact activities depend on available time and purpose.
What happened with JS Takanami?
JS Takanami belongs to the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force. It called at Mumbai on 5 July for operational turnaround. The ship was deployed in the western Indian Ocean Region.
On 8 July, it exercised with INS Surat off Mumbai, and the ships checked communication procedures and manoeuvred together. These drills improve interoperability between two navies.
Interoperability means the ability to work together effectively, and common procedures reduce confusion during disaster relief or maritime-security operations. They also build familiarity before larger exercises.
Conclusion
INS Surat completes the four-ship Project 15B programme, and its exercise with Japan highlights regular maritime cooperation. The ship is also a major example of indigenous naval design.