The warships in Indian Navy can be classifies in following categories – Aircraft Carrier, Destroyers, Frigates, Amphibious warfare Ships, Corvettes, Anti Mine Ships, Patrol Ships etc. Indian Army stands at 4th place all over world if the total military strength including army, air force and navy. If only Naval strength is considered then Indian Naval fleet is at 7th largest and strongest naval power in world (source). At present Indian Naval fleet strength consists of  2 Aircraft carriers, 2 Nuclear Submarines, 14 conventional diesel- electric submarines, 10 destroyer ships, 14 frigates, 1 amphibious transport dock, 9 Landing ships, 26 corvettes, 6 Mine warfare ships and a number of Patrol vessels and boats.

Major Aircraft Carrier Warships in Indian Navy 

INS Vikramaditya

• Original Manufacturer – Black Sea Shipyard, USSR and Sevmash, Russia 
  

  Russian Kamov Ka28 Chopper

• Original Name – Admiral Gorskov
• Originally Commissioned on – 1987
• Commissioned in Indian Navy on – 16 Nov 2013
• Displacement – 45,400 Tons
• Maximum Speed – 32 Knots
• Dimensions (Length x Width x Draught) – 283.5 x 59.8 x 10.2 meters
• Displacement – 45,400 Tons
• Crew – 1500 Ship crew + 110 Air crew
• Aircrafts carried – 26 MIG 29 and 10 Kamov Ka31 and Ka28 Helicopters (36 Max)
• Missiles fitted – Barak1 (SRSAM), Barak 8 (LRSAM)

The original name under which this aircraft was commissioned was Admiral Gorshkov. This aircraft carrier served earlier for USSR and then to Russia for a period of 9 years. It was decommissioned because the cost of operation and maintenance was escalating beyond post cold war Russia. It was purchased by Indian government at a whopping cost of 2.35 Billion US Dollars. This aircraft carrier ship was later renamed as INS Vikramaditya after induction in Indian Navy. The process of purchase and procurement of this ship took years of negotiations between India and Russia and it took a toll on the relation of these two countries. The commissioning ceremony was attended by Indian Defence minister A. K. Antony of Conress lead UPA government. Although it was commissioned under UPA, it actually came to service on 14 June 2014 in NDA lead Modi government. The actual date of delivery of the aircraft carrier was 4 Dec 2012 but this was never met. The reasons for delay in delivery was detection of problem in Boilers during sea trials. After commissioning, during return sailing from Severodvinsk, Russia to her home-port INS Kadamba, Karwar, Karnataka this aircraft carrier was escorted by frigate INS Trikand, HMS Monmouth, destroyer INS delhi and INS Virat. This warship is fitted with SRSAM and LRSAM Barrak missiles which stands for Short range Surface to Air missiles and Long range surface to air missiles.

INS Viraat

• Original Manufacturer – Vickers Armstrongs, UK 
  

  Sea Harrier landing on INS Viraat

• Original Name – HMS Hermes
• Originally Commissioned on – 25 Nov 1959
• Commissioned in Indian Navy on – 12 May 1987
• Decommissioned on – 6th March 2017
• Displacement – 28,700 Tons
• Maximum Speed – 28 Knots
• Dimensions  – 226.5 x 48.7 x 8.8 meters
• Crew – 1207 shipe crew + 143 air crew
• Aircrafts carried – 16 British Sea Harrier, 4 Westland Sea King Helicopters, 2 HAL Chetak, 4 HAL Dhruv
• Missiles fitted – 16 Barak1 SRSAM missiles

INS Viraat is the oldest aircraft carrier of the world and is also the last ship built by British which is still serving the Indian Navy. This aircraft carrier is scheduled to be decommissioned in June 2016. This ship was originally served the British Royal Navy from 1959 to 1984 for a period of 25 long years. From the date of induction to Indian Navy this ship has undergone many repairs and refits. Barak SAM missiles were fitted in the third mid service refit. The additional armaments along with the Barak 1 missiles are two numbers Bofors AA 40 mm guns and 2 numbers twin AK 230 naval guns. The maximum number of aircrafts which INS Virat can carry is 26. It is equipped with 16 numbers of British Sea Harriers, Kamov Ka-31 Helix B early warning helicopters developed by Russia, Westland Sea King Mk 42B and Sea King Mk 42C helicopters developed by British. It has a choice of carrying either Chetak Dhruv or Westland Sea King. INS Virat is suited for both amphibious as well as ASW (Anti Submarine warfare) operations. With the decommissioning on INS Viraat on 6th March 2017, there is only one aircraft carrier (INS Vikramaditya) left in Indian Navy.

Destroyer Warships in Indian Navy

Warships in Indian Navy : Kolkata Class Destroyers 

• Original Manufacturer – Mazagon Dock Ltd, Mumbai
• Displacement – 7500 Tons
• Dimensions – 163 x 17.3 x 6.5 meters
• Engines – Zorya M36E twin gas turbines, Bergen KVM diesel engines,
• Max Speed – 32 Knots
• Crew – 350
• Missiles fitted – 4 x 8 cell VLS for Barak 8 missiles, 2 x 8 cell ULVM for Brahmos missiles

Kolkata class destroyers are set of three destroyers namely INS Kolkata, INS Kochi and INS Chennai which have been developed indigenously by Indian Navy at Mazagon Dock Ltd under code name Project 15 alpha. While the first two of this class INS Kolkata and INS Kochi are already commissioned and are under in service, the third and last of this class INS Chennai is under development stage. As of now INS Chennai is undergoing its sea trials and is expected to be commissioned in Indian Navy in late 2016. All the destroyers ships of Kolakata class are stealth guided missile destroyer type. The original delivery time was fixed to be 2010 but due to delays and problems in sea trials the delivery period extended to 2014. Kolkata class destroyers are based on the design of earlier Project 15 Delhi class destroyers but with considerably improved functioning and design features. All three destroyers are fitted with Barak 8 and Brahmos naval version missiles. The additional weaponry includes 76 mm Oto Melara SRGM guns, 4 Ak 630 naval guns, 4 533 mm torpedo tubes and 2 RBU 6000 antisubmarine rocket launchers. In addtion Kolakata class destroyer is equipped to carry 2 helicopters which can be either Sea King or HAL Dhruv.

On 9 June 2014 Brahmos missile was test fired from INS Kolkata as a part of pre commissioning exercise. In month of Dec 2015 two Barrak 8 missiles were test fired from INS Kolkata on fast moving targets as a part of naval exercise. All these missile tests were extremely successful.

Warships in Indian Navy : Delhi Class Destroyers

• Original Manufacturer – Mazagon Dock Ltd, Mumbai 
  

  Ak 630 Naval Gun

• Displacement – 6200 Tons
• Dimensions – 163 x 17.4 x 6.5 meters
• Engines – 2 x M36E Gas Turbine plants,
• Max Speed – 28 Knots
• Crew – 350
• Missiles fitted- 32 x Barak 1 missiles, 2 x Russian Buk (Shtil) SAM Missile system

Delhi class destroyers are inline with the Kolkata class destroyers. Much of the design features of Kolkata class destroyers are influenced from the Delhi class destroyers. Delhi class destroyers consists of 3 active destroyer ships presently – i) INS Delhi, ii) INS Mysroe and iii) INS Mumbai. Delhi class destroyers as like Kolkata class are also manufactured indigenously at Mazagon Dock Ltd. These ships are also considered as third largest warships fully designed and built by India (largest vessel being INS Arihant aircraft carrier, second largest being Kolkata class destroyers). The design and development program of Delhi class destroyers were given a code name Project 15. These vessels have surveillance ability of about 350 Km radius. Apart from the Barrak and Russian Shtil missile system, these destroyer vessels are also equipped with 1 x 100 mm AK100 Gun, 2 x 30mm AK630 guns, 2 x RBU6000 anti submarine mortar launchers and 1 torpedo tube. These warships are also equipped with 2 Sea King Helicopters with option of HAL Dhruv multi-utility choppers.

Warships in Indian Navy : Rajput Class Destroyers

• Original Manufacturer – Kommunara Shipbuilding Plant, present Ukraine (former USSR)
• Population – 5
• Displacement – 4974 Tons
• Dimensions – 163 x 17.4 x 6.5 meters
• Engines – 4 gas turbines,
• Max Speed – 35 Knots
• Crew – 320
• Missiles fitted – Brahmos missiles, P15 Termit Russian anti-Ship missile, Dhanush Missile, Barak 8 SAM

Rajput class destroyers are basically Russian Kashin class which were modified to suit Indian conditions and commissioned as Rajput class destroyer ships in Indian Navy in late 80s decade. The main design modification from Kashin to Rajput class are replacement of Helicopter pad with flight elevator and improvements in electronics and weaponry system. These warships are also the first one to be equipped with Brahmos cruise missiles. There are five number of destroyer ships in the Rajput Class all of which have different quantity of above mentioned missiles. While INS Rajput is equipped with 4 Brahmos and 2 P15 Termit, INS Ranvir and Ranvijat are fitted with 8 Brahmos and 4 P15 Termit. Rajput class although old in age but are considered most sophisticated among all other destroyer vessels of India as these warships are known for anti-aircraft and anti-submarine warfare.  It is further planned to replace the ageing Gas Turbines of all 5 Rajput class destroyer warships with the indigenous Kaveri Gas Turbine engines which is in trial phase. Rajput class destroyers are also equipped with 1 on-board helicopter. While INS Rajput, Rana and Ranjit carries HAL Chetak, INS Ranvir and Ranvijay carry 1 Russian Kamov-27 chopper.

Major Warships in Indian Navy : Frigates

What is a frigate  – Frigates are generally called as those warships which are used for speed and maneuverability. They are of different sizes and have many different roles.

Shivalik Class Frigate

• Original Manufacturer – Mazagon Dock Ltd, Mumbai
• Population – 3
• Displacement –  6200 Tons
• Dimensions –  142.5 x 16.9 x 4.5 meters
• Engines – 2 Pielstick 16 PA6 Diesel Engines
• Max Speed – 32 Knots
• Crew – 257
• Missiles fitted- 32 cell VLS Barak 1 missiles, 24 Shilt 1 missiles, 8 VLS Klub anti-ship cruise missiles

Shivalik class frigates hold the honour of being called as first stealth warships of India. There are total 3 warships in this class of frigates. These are INS Shivalik, INS Satpura, INS Sahyadri. All these three warship frigates were developed by Mazagon Dock Ltd under code project name Project 17. Seven more state of art frigates under code name Project 17A are scheduled to be built. Shivalik class frigates are considered as the improved versions of Talwar class frigates with added feature of being stealth. There are a number of missiles fitted in these vessels namely VLS (vertical launch system) operated Barak 1 having 32 slot cell capacity, 24 Shilt 1 and either 8 x Klub or Brahmos cruise anti-ship missile .

Talwar Class Frigates

• Original Manufacturer – Baltiysky Zavod (Shipyard), Saint Petersburg, Russia
• Population – 6 ( 4 more planned)
• Displacement – 4000  Tons
• Dimensions –  124.8 x 15.2 x 4.2 meters
• Engines – 2 x DS71 Gas Turbines
• Max Speed – 32 Knots
• Crew – 190
• Missiles fitted – SAM -24 Shtil1, 8 Igla 1E ; Anti Ship – 8x VLS Klub or Brahmos cruise anti ship/land based
• Aircrafts – 1 x Kamov Ka28/Kamov Ka27 or HAL Dhruv

Brahmaputra Class Frigates

• Original Manufacturer – Garden Reach shipbuilders and Engineers, Kolkata, India
• Population – 3
• Displacement –  3850 Tons
• Dimensions –  126.4 x 14.5 x 4.5 meters
• Engines – 2 BHEL Steam turbines
• Max Speed – 30 Knots
• Crew – 300
• Missiles fitted – 16x Kh35 Russian missiles with Kt 184 launchers, 24 Barak 1 SAM
• Aircraft carried – 2 Sea King or HAL Dhruv

Mine Warfare Ships, Anti-Mine Warships in Indian Navy

• Original Manufacturer – Former Soviet Union
• Population – 6
• Displacement – 877  Tons
• Dimensions – 61 x 10.2 x 2.7  meters
• Engines – 2 M503B Diesel Engines
• Max Speed – 16 Knots
• Crew – 72
• Missiles fitted – 9K32 Strela Russian SAM missiles, 16xGrail missiles

Mine warfare ships are also called as anti-mine ships or Mine sweeper ships. these Anti -mine ships were purchased from Russia in two batches, the first batch named as Pondicherry class while the second batch was named as Karwar Class. Karwar class although having similar design features differ with Pondicherry class by additional SAM (surface to Air missiles). The home ports of all Pondicherry class anti mine ships is Mumbai while that of Karwar class is Vizag.