In the wake of Pahalgam, Indian Navy on alert mode in Arabian Sea, tests missile from INS Surat

Mumbai: Amid the high state of alertness in the Arabian Sea in the wake of the brutal Pahalgam meadows terrorist attack on tourists which has escalated tensions between India and Pakistan, the Navy on Thursday successfully conducted test-firing of a surface-to-air missile from its latest indigenous guided missile destroyer INS Surat. 

The test-firing was conducted somewhere in the Arabian Sea. 

Meanwhile, the Indian Navy’s Western Fleet is in high state of alertness. 

The test-firing was conducted somewhere in the Arabian Sea, according to sources in the Mumbai-headquartered  Western Naval Command, the sword arm of the Indian Navy.

INS Surat, which is the fourth and final ship of the Project 15B stealth destroyer class, popularly known as the Visakhapatnam-class, was commissioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in January 2025. 

“INS Surat has successfully carried out a precision cooperative engagement of a sea-skimming target, marking a significant milestone in strengthening the defence capabilities,” WNC officials said.

“This achievement demonstrates India's growing prowess in indigenous warship design, development, and operations, and underscores the nation's commitment to self-reliance in defence manufacturing,” the officials added. 

“This milestone is a testament to the Indian Navy's unwavering commitment to safeguarding the nation's maritime interests and its dedication to Aatmanirbhar Bharat,” the officials said.

INS Surat is armed with supersonic Surface-to-Surface ‘Brahmos’ missiles and ‘Barak-8’ Medium Range Surface to Air Missiles. Towards undersea warfare capability the Destroyer is fitted with indigenously developed anti-submarine weapons and sensors, prominently the Hull mounted Sonar Humsa NG, Heavy weight Torpedo Tube Launchers and ASW Rocket Launchers.

Significantly more versatile than the previous classes of Destroyer and Frigates in Naval inventory, Surat’s all-around capability against enemy submarines, surface warships, anti-ship missiles and fighter aircraft will enable it to operate independently without supporting vessels and also to function as the flagship of a Naval task force.