PM Modi on INS Vikrant: 3 New Naval Assets Give Fresh Push to India’s Self-Reliance
By Howdy Kane News Desk
Published: June 21, 2026
India’s push to build its own defence equipment received fresh political backing on Saturday after Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the country’s naval journey has grown far beyond the commissioning of a single aircraft carrier.
In a post on X, the Prime Minister said the story of INS Vikrant reflects India’s growing confidence in designing and building advanced military platforms at home. He added that three new naval assets, INS Agrani, INS Dunagiri, and INS Sanshodhak, are carrying that effort forward.
PM Modi on INS Vikrant
“The journey from INS Vikrant to today is not merely the journey of new warships. It is the journey of India’s growing self-reliance. Today, INS Agrani, INS Dunagiri, and INS Sanshodhak are giving new momentum to that very journey.”
The remarks come as India continues to expand domestic defence manufacturing under the government’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat programme. Defence officials have repeatedly said reducing dependence on imported military hardware remains one of the country’s long-term strategic goals.
Why INS Vikrant matters
INS Vikrant is India’s first indigenous aircraft carrier. Built by Cochin Shipyard Limited with support from several Indian defence industries, the warship is considered one of the biggest achievements in the country’s naval history.
Its commissioning demonstrated India’s ability to design, build and operate a complex aircraft carrier using domestic industrial capability. Defence analysts say the project also created a wider ecosystem of Indian manufacturers supplying equipment, electronics, steel and engineering systems.
New naval assets continue the momentum
Prime Minister Modi linked INS Vikrant with three newer naval platforms:
- INS Agrani
- INS Dunagiri
- INS Sanshodhak
According to the Prime Minister, these vessels reflect the steady expansion of India’s indigenous naval capability and strengthen the country’s maritime preparedness.
The government has increasingly focused on locally built warships, submarines and defence systems over the past decade. Officials argue that domestic production improves operational readiness while creating jobs and strengthening India’s defence industry.
Bigger picture
India has steadily increased investment in indigenous defence production through higher procurement from domestic manufacturers, technology development and greater participation of private industry.
The Indian Navy currently operates one of the world’s largest indigenous warship-building programmes. Several destroyers, frigates, submarines and support vessels are under construction at Indian shipyards.
PM Modi’s latest remarks reinforce the government’s position that defence manufacturing has become an important pillar of India’s economic and strategic planning.
Quick Q&A
Q1. What did PM Narendra Modi say about INS Vikrant?
He said the journey from INS Vikrant represents India’s growing self-reliance and that newer naval assets are carrying this mission forward.
Q2. Which ships did PM Modi mention?
He named INS Agrani, INS Dunagiri, and INS Sanshodhak.
Q3. Why is INS Vikrant important?
INS Vikrant is India’s first indigenously built aircraft carrier and a major milestone in domestic defence manufacturing.
Q4. What is the main message behind the Prime Minister’s statement?
The message is that India’s defence manufacturing capability continues to expand through indigenous warship construction and technological development.
Q5. How does this fit into Aatmanirbhar Bharat?
The statement supports the government’s goal of increasing domestic defence production and reducing dependence on foreign military imports.
Article summary
- PM Narendra Modi said India’s naval journey reflects growing self-reliance.
- He connected the legacy of INS Vikrant with INS Agrani, INS Dunagiri and INS Sanshodhak.
- The statement reinforces the government’s push for indigenous defence manufacturing.
- INS Vikrant remains a milestone as India’s first home-built aircraft carrier.
- India continues to expand domestic naval shipbuilding under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
Sources
- PMO official post on X (June 21, 2026).
- Public information released by the Ministry of Defence, Government of India, on indigenous naval programmes.