**Executive Summary**
The Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) supplied 5,700 tonnes of specialized DMR 249A grade steel for the commissioning of three Indian Navy vessels: INS Dunagiri, INS Agray, and INS Sanshodhak. These ships were formally commissioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on June 21, 2026, at the Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port in Kolkata. This supply underscores SAIL's role in the "Atmanirbhar Bharat" initiative and its commitment to indigenous defense manufacturing.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Vessel Commissioning and Steel Supply**
* SAIL provided the entire 5,700 tonnes of defense-grade steel for three recently commissioned naval ships.
* The vessels include the advanced stealth frigate INS Dunagiri, the anti-submarine warfare shallow water craft INS Agray, and the survey vessel (large) INS Sanshodhak.
* The formal commissioning ceremony took place on June 21, 2026.
**Technical and Manufacturing Details**
* The supplied material consists of special quality DMR 249A grade hot-rolled sheets and plates.
* Production was carried out at SAIL’s flagship facilities located in Bokaro, Bhilai, and Rourkela.
* SAIL boosted manufacturing capacity specifically at the Rourkela Steel Plant’s Special Plate Plant to meet emerging defense requirements.
**Strategic Contributions and Indigenization**
* SAIL’s production of specialized steel supports the "Make in India" and "Atmanirbhar Bharat" initiatives.
* This effort contributes to import substitution in the field of defense-grade steel, enhancing India's strategic independence.
* SAIL has a history of supporting naval projects, including the aircraft carrier INS Vikrant, Project 17A stealth frigates (INS Nilgiri, INS Himgiri, and INS Udaygiri), and vessels such as INS Ajay and INS Nistar.
**Impact Analysis**
**Indian Navy**
**Impact**
The Navy has been strengthened with three advanced warships built using indigenous high-strength steel, enhancing maritime capabilities and sovereignty.
**Action Required**
Formally integrate the newly commissioned vessels into naval operations and infrastructure.
**Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL)**
**Impact**
The organization has solidified its position as a key partner in the defense sector, demonstrating its technical expertise and high-capacity manufacturing capabilities.
**Action Required**
Maintain and further enhance production capacities for DMR Grade plates to meet growing domestic defense needs.
**Ministry of Steel / Government of India**
**Impact**
The successful delivery of materials for these ships marks a milestone in national self-reliance and the reduction of imports for critical defense infrastructure.
**Action Required**
Continue to support and oversee initiatives that align domestic industrial output with national defense and "Make in India" goals.
Key Entities Referenced
Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL): A Maharatna Central Public Sector Enterprise responsible for manufacturing and supplying specialized defense-grade steel for Indian Navy vessels.
Indian Navy: The primary recipient of advanced stealth frigates and warfare crafts commissioned to strengthen national maritime defense infrastructure.
Atmanirbhar Bharat: National initiative for self-reliance driving the indigenization of critical naval platforms and reducing defense-grade steel imports.
Make in India: Government initiative promoting the domestic production of high-strength DMR Grade plates for strategic naval requirements.
Ministry of Steel: The administrative ministry overseeing the strategic production of specialized steel to support India's maritime defense and strategic independence.
Ministry of Steel
SAIL Powers India's Naval Might: Supplies
Defense-Grade
Steel for INS Dunagiri, Agray, and Sanshodhak
Posted On: 24 JUN 2026 7:02PM by PIB Delhi
Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL), a Maharatna Central Public Sector Enterprise under the Ministry
of Steel, has yet again played a pivotal role in strengthening the nation's naval capabilities by supplying
the entire 5,700 tonnes of special steel for three recently commissioned ships of the Indian Navy-advanced
stealth frigate INS Dunagiri, the anti-submarine warfare shallow water craft INS Agray, and the survey
vessel (large) INS Sanshodhak. The three advanced vessels were formally commissioned into the Indian
Navy on June 21, 2026, by Honourable Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi during a landmark ceremony
held at the Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port in Kolkata.
The steel supplied by SAIL includes special quality DMR 249A grade hot-rolled sheets and plates. This
specialized, defence-grade steel was meticulously manufactured and supplied from SAIL’s flagship
facilities at Bokaro, Bhilai, and Rourkela Steel Plants, underscoring the Maharatna's robust technological
capability in supporting India's maritime defence infrastructure.SAIL continues to propel the nation's Atmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India initiatives. By producing
specialized steel for critical naval platforms, SAIL has become integral part to India’s defence
indigenisation. To meet the emerging requirements of the defence sector, SAIL has taken extra measures
well in advance to enhance the production of DMR Grade plates for defence requirements at its Plate-
production facilities, specifically at the Special Plate Plant in the Rourkela Steel Plant. This strategic move
is clearly reflected in India’s growing import substitution in the field of defence-grade steel. Its stellar
track record includes provisioning the landmark indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant, alongside the elite
Project 17A stealth frigates-INS Nilgiri, INS Himgiri, and INS Udaygiri. Furthermore, SAIL’s specialized
steel forms the backbone of formidable vessels like INS Ajay, INS Nistar, and INS Anjadeep among
others. The successful induction of these advanced warships marks a defining milestone in India’s
maritime capabilities and sovereignty.
SAIL CMD Dr. Ashok Kumar Panda said, “As a key partner in India's defence sector, SAIL remains
deeply committed to national self-reliance. To stay ahead in the defence sector's growing needs, the
company boosted its manufacturing capacity for DMR Grade plates -focusing heavily on the Special Plate
Plant at the Rourkela Steel Plant. Delivering these high-strength DMR 249A steel plates protects India's
strategic independence while highlighting SAIL's cutting-edge technical expertise.”
***AG
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