THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU
NEW DELHI, JUNE 24, 2026
Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL), a Maharatna Central Public Sector Enterprise under the Ministry of Steel, has once again reinforced its pivotal role in strengthening India’s naval capabilities by supplying the entire 5,700 tonnes of special steel required for three recently commissioned Indian Navy vessels — the advanced stealth frigate INS Dunagiri, the anti-submarine warfare shallow water craft INS Agray, and the survey vessel (large) INS Sanshodhak.
The three state-of-the-art warships were commissioned into the Indian Navy on June 21, 2026, by Prime Minister Narendra
Modi during a landmark ceremony held at Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port in Kolkata.
The steel supplied by SAIL comprises special-quality DMR
249A-grade hot-rolled sheets and plates. This specialized defense-grade steel
was manufactured and delivered from SAIL’s flagship facilities at the Bokaro,
Bhilai and Rourkela Steel Plants, highlighting the Maharatna company’s robust
technological capabilities in supporting India’s maritime defense
infrastructure.
SAIL continues to advance the nation’s Atmanirbhar Bharat and
Make in India initiatives through the production of specialized steel for critical
naval platforms, making it an integral contributor to India’s defense
indigenisation efforts. Anticipating the evolving requirements of the defense
sector, the company undertook proactive measures to enhance the production of
DMR-grade plates at its plate-manufacturing facilities, particularly at the
Special Plate Plant of the Rourkela Steel Plant. This strategic initiative has
significantly contributed to India’s growing import substitution in the
defense-grade steel segment.
SAIL’s impressive track record includes supplying steel for the indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant, as well as the elite Project 17A stealth frigates INS Nilgiri, INS Himgiri and INS Udaygiri. The company’s specialized steel also forms the backbone of several key naval platforms, including INS Ajay, INS Nistar and INS Anjadeep, among others. The induction of these advanced vessels marks another significant milestone in enhancing India’s maritime strength and strategic sovereignty.
SAIL Chairman and Managing Director Dr. Ashok Kumar Panda said, “As a key partner in India's defense sector, SAIL remains deeply committed to national self-reliance. To stay ahead in the defense 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.”
