INSV Kaundinya Flagged-in at Naval Dockyard

By Raju Vernekar

The Indian Naval Sailing Vessel (INSV) Kaundinya, a traditionally constructed stitched sailing vessel of the Indian Navy, was ceremonially flagged in at Naval Dockyard in South Mumbai by Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth, on March 02 Monday.

 The vessel recently returned home after the successful completion of her historic maiden overseas voyage to Muscat, Oman.

 Addressing the gathering, the minister highlighted the national significance of the project, stating that INSV Kaundinya represented the revival of India’s ancient maritime knowledge systems and would serve as an inspiration to the youth of the country. He underscored the courage, resilience, and the spirit of rediscovery reflected by the voyage, encouraging young Indians to embrace adventure and innovation rooted in civilizational confidence.

 Speaking on the occasion, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan commended the crew for their extraordinary dedication and professionalism in sailing a traditionally constructed stitched vessel across the Arabian Sea. He underscored the immense hard work involved from conceptualisation and research to design, traditional construction, crew training and execution of the voyage.

 Operating a square-sailed, stitched wooden vessel without modern structural reinforcements required exceptional planning, seamanship, teamwork, and endurance, making the successful completion of the expedition a remarkable achievement for the Indian Navy.

 As INSV Kaundinya made her ceremonial entry, she was welcomed with a colourful parade of sails and a traditional water arc salute, creating a spectacular and emotionally charged atmosphere in the harbour. The event symbolised both pride in India’s maritime heritage and admiration for the crew’s accomplishment.

 Consul General of the Sultanate of Oman Mr Mahboob Issa Alraisi in Mumbai, senior officers, veterans, representatives from Hodi Innovations, eminent members of civil society, members of the maritime community, historians and sailing enthusiasts were present on the occasion.

 INSV Kaundinya is a 20-metre, traditionally constructed stitched sailing vessel of the Indian Navy, inspired by a 5th century CE depiction from the Ajanta Caves. Built using ancient Indian shipbuilding techniques in which wooden planks are stitched together with coir rope and sealed with natural resins, the vessel represents a revival of India’s rich maritime heritage. Inducted into the Navy in May 2025 and named after the legendary mariner Kaundinya, she symbolises India’s historic seafaring traditions and civilisational linkages across the Indian Ocean.

 The flag-in ceremony marked the successful completion of the vessel’s maiden overseas voyage to the Sultanate of Oman and her historic return passage across the Arabian Sea, reaffirming India’s enduring maritime heritage and India–Oman linkages across the Indian Ocean.

 INSV Kaundinya sailed from Porbandar on December 29, 2025 for Muscat, retracing ancient maritime routes once used by Indian mariners. She arrived at Port Sultan Qaboos on January 14,  2026, where she received a ceremonial welcome in the presence of Omani dignitaries and members of the Indian diaspora.

  INS Anjadip Commissioned

In another development, INS Anjadip, the fourth ship of the Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC) project, was commissioned into the Indian Navy in an official ceremony held at Chennai Port on February 27, 2026. The Commissioning Ceremony was presided by Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi.

 The function was hosted by Vice Admiral Sanjay Bhalla, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Naval Command and was attended by senior naval officers, former Commanding Officers of erstwhile Anjadip, representatives from Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata and Larsen & Toubro Shipbuilding, Kattupali, along with other distinguished civilian dignitaries.

 In his address, the CNS, highlighted the strategic significance of the ship’s induction, as also commended the commitment and support, of the shipbuilders and the dedication of the ship’s crew towards timely commissioning of the ship.

 INS Anjadip, named after the historical island off the coast of Karwar, is the latest addition in a series of warships designed specifically for Anti-Submarine Warfare in the shallow waters of the littoral zone. The vessel proudly boasts an indigenous content of over 80%, showcasing India’s self-reliance in warship design and defence electronics. This includes the integration of key indigenous systems.

 As a ‘Dolphin Hunter’, the 77-meter-long, 1400-tonne vessel is configured for rapid response and sustained operations in coastal environment. The ship is equipped with a modern ASW suite and an integrated advanced Combat Management System to effectively detect, track, and neutralise sub-surface threats.

 The commissioning of INS Anjadip, following its predecessors INS Arnala and Androth, marked a major milestone in the Indian Navy’s planned trajectory of force level growth and capability enhancement, ensuring the security of India’s maritime trade routes and coastal infrastructure. The ship has been placed under the operational and administrative control of Flag Officer Commanding, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry Naval Area to safeguard nation’s maritime interests.

Kindly note an amendment to the above timings.