Veer-class

The Veer class is an Indian variant of the Soviet Tarantul-class corvette. It followed the Abhay and Durg classes in the Indian Navy's order of battle and was succeeded by the Khukri class. The Indian Navy planned 15 vessels, 13 of which were completed. Production was shared between the Volodarski shipyard in the Soviet Union and Indian facilities at Mazagon Dock Limited and Goa Shipyard Limited.

The class utilizes a COGAG propulsion system. Armament configurations vary across the class; initial vessels were equipped with P-15 Termit missiles, while later units, built to the Tarantul V standard, carry Kh-35 Uran missiles. Current modernization efforts include the integration of BrahMos missile launchers on active hulls. Defensive equipment includes a quad launcher for air defense missiles, a 76 mm main gun, and AK-630 close-in weapon systems. The sensor suite consists of air and surface search radars, such as the Garpun Bal and MR-352, and fire control radars including the BEL Lynx and Aparna systems.

These vessels are assigned to the 22nd Missile Vessel Squadron. Eight ships in the class inherit names from the 25th Killer missile boat squadron, which operated during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971. The operational history of the Veer class includes forward deployment off the Gujarat coast for the protection of offshore assets and maritime borders. Units of the class participated in Operation Vijay and Operation Parakram.

Decommissioning of the class began in April 2016 with the retirement of INS Veer and INS Nipat. INS Nirbhik and INS Nirghat were decommissioned in 2018, followed by INS Nishank in 2022. INS Nishank was subsequently transferred to the National Maritime Heritage Complex at Lothal for preservation as a museum ship. One vessel, INS Prahar, was lost following a collision in 2006. Seven units remain in active service, with several undergoing weapon system upgrades.