The Indian Navy is preparing two aging Soviet-built vessels, INS Nishank and INS Akshay, for decommissioning. A pennant launching ceremony is planned for Friday, June 3, signaling the formal end of service for these missiles and surveillance platforms that have served for decades. The event underscores a pivotal transition in India’s maritime forces as newer ships and upgrades take the stage to meet evolving security demands in the region.
The Veer-class corvette INS Nishank, commissioned in 1989 after construction at the Vympel Shipyard in Rybinsk, forms part of project 1241 Molniya. It stands as the last remaining example of this Soviet-built family in active service with the Indian Navy. Four sister ships from the same project were retired in 2016 through 2018, illustrating a continuous modernization cycle that accompanies aging fleets. Over time, these corvettes have contributed to coastal defense, maritime patrols, and interoperability drills with allied forces, reinforcing India’s regional presence at sea.
In India’s naval fleet, eight vessels of the Veer-class corvettes were produced. One of them was lost in a collision in 2006, while the remaining seven have remained on alert for extended periods, participating in exercises and real-world missions that stress-tested their reliability under demanding conditions. The Veer-class ships are equipped with both cruise and anti-ship missiles, enabling rapid response and a credible deterrent in contested waters. Their top speeds of up to 36 knots (about 67 km/h) allowed aggressive maneuvering in littoral zones and rapid repositioning during patrols and exercises.
INS Akshay, commissioned in 1990 and built at the Yaroslavl shipyard, belongs to project 21412. This vessel is characterized as a compact anti-submarine ship designed to detect and counter submarine threats in busy sea lanes and naval theaters. Unlike the Veer-class corvettes, Akshay carries an RBU-1200 Uran jet-propelled depth-charge system, a weapon designed to deliver rapid sorties against submerged targets and contribute to a layered anti-submarine warfare (ASW) posture. The ship’s configuration reflects a focus on underwater defense, which remains essential given the diverse range of submarine operations in regional waters.
Throughout more than three decades of service, these ships have been deployed in scenarios demanding heightened security. Their careers included periods of elevated alert during operations such as Talwar in the late 1990s and early 2000s, and Parakram in 2001, as well as responses to regional security challenges that tested naval readiness and disaster-response capabilities. The scope of their missions has evolved from traditional patrols to broader roles that emphasize cooperative security, maritime interdiction, and rapid recovery in the wake of regional crises. This track record reflects the Navy’s long-standing emphasis on maintaining a credible coastal and maritime presence while modernizing its fleet for future operations.
Earlier reports highlighted a notable naval ceremony at Mazagon Docks in Mumbai, where two indigenous warships were launched in close succession: the destroyer Surat and the frigate Udaigiri. This event was covered by the Indian edition of Outlook and signaled a visible step in India’s push to expand and refresh its domestic shipbuilding capabilities. Defense leadership attended the event and underscored the significance of homegrown ship construction. The emphasis on national shipbuilding aligns with broader strategic goals to enhance self-reliance, expand industrial capacity, and strengthen the country’s blue-water ambitions while maintaining continuity in naval operations during a critical transition period.
As part of the ongoing modernization efforts, Indian defense authorities highlighted the importance of balancing the retirement of aging platforms with the induction of newer, more capable vessels. This approach aims to preserve maritime superiority, improve overall fleet readiness, and ensure sustained protection of national interests across the Indian Ocean region. In this context, the retirement of INS Nishank and INS Akshay marks a phased evolution in which the Navy consolidates experience while integrating advanced technologies and upgraded systems that reflect today’s maritime security environment. The overarching message from defense leadership emphasizes prudence, continuity, and strategic foresight in shaping India’s future naval posture.