Mahendragiri, Indian Navy's Last Stealth Frigate Under Project 17A, To Be Launched In Mumbai Today

INS 'Mahendragiri' showcases advanced technological features and underscores India's commitment to preserving its maritime heritage while simultaneously advancing its domestic defence capabilities

The Indian Navy's final stealth frigate constructed as part of Project 17A, 'Mahendragiri', is scheduled for launch at Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd in Mumbai on Friday. Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar and his wife Sudesh Dhankhar will be present at the launch ceremony.

Named after a prominent peak in the Eastern Ghats of Odisha, INS 'Mahendragiri' marks the seventh addition to the fleet of Project 17A frigates. Distinguished by enhanced stealth characteristics, advanced weaponry, and cutting-edge sensors, these vessels are a continuation of the Project 17 frigate series.

INS Mahendragiri showcases advanced technological features and underscores India's commitment to preserving its maritime heritage while simultaneously advancing its domestic defence capabilities, as stated by the naval authorities.

Engineered internally by the Indian Navy's Warship Design Bureau, the Project 17A ships epitomize the nation's pursuit of 'Aatma Nirbharata' (self-reliance), with a significant 75 per cent of equipment and systems orders placed with indigenous firms, including MSMEs, according to a Navy statement. The launch of Mahendragiri serves as a testament to the remarkable strides India has taken in establishing a self-sufficient naval force, the statement by the Navy read.

Last month, President Droupadi Murmu inaugurated the advanced stealth frigate INS Vindhyagiri of the Indian Navy at the Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Ltd (GRSE) facility located on the banks of the Hooghly River in Kolkata.

Acting as the supreme commander of the armed forces, President Murmu initiated the launch of INS Vindhyagiri, marking the sixth vessel out of seven being constructed as part of 'Project 17 Alpha' for the Indian Navy. The first five ships within this project were introduced between 2019 and 2022. INS Vindhyagiri was the third and last stealth frigate produced by the Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Ltd's (GRSE).

According to an official statement by the Indian Navy, "INS Vindhyagiri, an advanced frigate brimming with technology, pays tribute to its predecessor, the former INS Vindhyagiri of the Leander Class ASW Frigate. The original Vindhyagiri, serving from July 8, 1981, to June 11, 2012, participated in numerous demanding operations and multinational exercises. The newly named Vindhyagiri symbolizes India's dedication to honouring its rich naval heritage while simultaneously progressing towards a future of indigenous defence capabilities."

Designated as guided missile frigates, the P17A ships measure 149 metres in length and have a displacement of around 6,670 tonnes. They can reach a maximum speed of 28 knots (51.85 kmph). These vessels exhibit the ability to counter threats across all three dimensions: air, surface, and water.