Journalists witness naval operations, indigenous warship construction, maintenance facilities and India’s maritime security infrastructure in Mumbai
Mumbai : A media delegation from Chhattisgarh, currently on a press tour of Pune and Mumbai, visited the Western Naval Command of the Indian Navy in Mumbai and gained first-hand insight into the Navy’s operational capabilities, indigenous warship construction, maintenance infrastructure and India’s evolving maritime strength.
As part of the visit, the journalists toured INS Chennai, a Kolkata-class guided-missile destroyer, and were briefed on its operational role, modern combat systems and functioning during maritime missions.
Journalists Visit INS Chennai
INS Chennai is the third and final ship of the three-ship Project 15A series. Designed by the Indian Navy and constructed by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) in Mumbai, the destroyer was commissioned into the Indian Navy in November 2016.
During the tour, naval personnel explained the role of modern destroyers in maritime surveillance, air defence and surface warfare operations. The media team was also briefed on the ship’s design, propulsion, sensors and weapon systems.
INS Chennai is approximately 163 metres long and has a displacement of around 7,500 tonnes. The warship is powered by four gas turbine engines and is capable of achieving speeds of more than 30 knots.
The journalists were also briefed on the use of stealth design features intended to reduce the ship’s radar signature, along with its modern sensor and weapon systems.
Briefing on Maritime Security and Strategic Sea Routes
An important part of the visit focused on the significance of maritime routes in the West Asian and Gulf regions, particularly from the perspective of maritime and energy security.
The delegation was briefed on the strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz and surrounding maritime areas, which are significant for international shipping and energy supplies.
Naval officials explained the importance of monitoring critical sea lanes, safeguarding shipping and maintaining maritime security amid evolving security challenges in the region. The journalists were also given an overview of how maritime surveillance and protection of vessels form part of the broader responsibilities associated with ensuring maritime security.
Inside Mumbai Naval Dockyard’s Dry Dock
The media team also visited a dry dock at the Naval Dockyard in Mumbai, where journalists were introduced to the maintenance, inspection, repair and refit processes undertaken on naval vessels.
Officials explained that dry docks enable ships to be taken out of the water for detailed inspection and maintenance of parts that normally remain submerged during operations.
These include the ship’s underwater hull, propulsion systems and other critical underwater components.
The delegation was also briefed on the scale and technical complexity of Mumbai’s naval dry-docking infrastructure. Modern dry docks play an important role in maintaining large warships and aircraft carriers, ensuring that vessels can undergo scheduled maintenance, repairs and refits after prolonged periods at sea.
A Glimpse Into India’s Naval Heritage
The journalists also visited a naval ship museum, where they were introduced to various stages of the development of India’s naval capabilities and the history of the Indian Navy.
The exhibits showcased aspects of naval vessels, technology, ship design, weapon systems and maritime operations from different periods. The displays provided the visiting journalists with an overview of the gradual development of India’s naval capabilities and the country’s journey towards greater self-reliance in warship construction.
A Comprehensive Exposure to India’s Maritime Capabilities
The visit to the Western Naval Command provided the Chhattisgarh media delegation with an opportunity to understand different aspects of India’s maritime capabilities—from the operational role of frontline warships to naval maintenance, dry-docking infrastructure and the historical evolution of the country’s naval strength.
The exposure was part of the Maharashtra press tour for media representatives from Chhattisgarh, during which journalists are being given an opportunity to visit important institutions, technological facilities and strategic establishments and gain first-hand understanding of their functioning.
The visit also offered the media team a closer look at the technological infrastructure and organisational capabilities that support the Indian Navy’s operations and the country’s broader maritime security framework.
