Prime Minister Narendra Modi today dedicated the largest indigenously-built warship INS Kolkata to the nation.

The 6,800 tonne Kolkata class warship has been designed by the Navy’s Design Bureau and is armed with indigenously built Brahmos missiles.

Addressing the officers at Naval base in Mumbai, Prime Minister Modi said, INS Kolkata is an example of intellectual prowess of Indian engineers, technicians and security experts.

Mr Modi said, maritime security is critical to global trade and commerce.

The Prime Minister said, government has announced several steps for defence offsets in the Budget and is committed to make India strong to export defence equipment to the world.

Defence Minister Arun Jaitley, who was also present on the occasion, said that it is the historic day for the nation.

He said, with the commissioning of INS Kolkata, the strength of the Indian Navy will increase multifold.

During his visit to Maharshtra, Mr Modi will also lay foundation stones for a multi-crore SEZ and port connectivity project in Navi Mumbai. Later in the forenoon, Prime Minister will lay the foundation stone for 6,000 crore rupees Port based multi-product Special Economic Zone at the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust, JNPT, at Nhava Sheva in Navi Mumbai.

He will also lay the foundation stone for the 1,926 crore rupees Port Connectivity Highway Project at JNPT.

Mr Modi will also allot land to JNPT Project Affected People under the 12.5 per cent scheme.

Later, the Prime Minister will head to Solapur, where he will dedicate a transmission line of Powergrid Corporation and launch multiple road and highway projects.