Mahendragiri, Indian Navy's Last Stealth Frigate Under Project 17A, Launched: WATCH

Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar was the chief guest at the launch event of the Indian Navy's final stealth frigate constructed as part of Project 17 Alpha series, 'Mahendragiri'.

Image of the 'Mahendragiri', the last Project 17A frigate

Source : PTI

The Indian Navy's final stealth frigate constructed as part of Project 17A, 'Mahendragiri', was launched on Friday at the Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd facility in Mumbai in the presence of Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar and his wife Sudesh Dhankhar. Vice President Dhankhar during the launch event said that the launch of Mahendragiri is a significant milestone in our maritime history. He added, "The 7th Nilgiri-class stealth frigate, is a testament to the unwavering commitment and indomitable spirit of the Indian Navy."

Launch of #Mahendragiri – the 7th Nilgiri-class stealth frigate, is a testament to the unwavering commitment and indomitable spirit of the Indian Navy.

Named after a mountain peak in Odisha, the majestic warship is an engineering marvel & symbol of the nation's maritime prowess.… pic.twitter.com/Zn4VG6MvhM

— Vice President of India (@VPIndia) September 1, 2023

He further said, "It is commendable that 75% of equipment and systems of the Nilgiri class frigates have been sourced from MSMEs. The launch of the 7th warship of this class Mahendragiri is an apt testament to the country's resolute commitment to 'Aatma Nirbharata'."

The Vice President then said, "India’s recent phenomenal economic rise and global ascendancy imperatively call for a modern Navy to protect its maritime interests. It is soothing to note that the issue is being very well attended." 

India’s recent phenomenal economic rise and global ascendancy imperatively call for a modern Navy to protect its maritime interests.

It is soothing to note that the issue is being very well attended. #Mahendragiri @indiannavy @SpokespersonMoD pic.twitter.com/aTIYlIAShj

— Vice President of India (@VPIndia) September 1, 2023

He added, "A growing economy means higher volumes of trade & look at what Navy has to take care of... Over 90% of India’s trade by volume moves through maritime routes at present. This further underlines the importance of oceans to our growth & progress."

Sanjeev Singhal, Director (Finance) & CFO with Additional Charge of Chairman and Managing Director of MDL, during the launch event, said, "The ship which is being launched today is built with advanced technology, is able to excel and show its might in any situation... Between 2014 to 2022, MDL has delivered five destroyer-class ships to the Indian Navy. That is one destroyer in 20 months. With one more destroyer slated to be delivered soon, it will improve our timeline further."

Singhal added, "In addition, between 2017 to 2022, MDL also delivered five Kalvari-class submarines to the Indian Navy. It achieved this and more despite massive challenges faced due to COVID-19, semi-conductor chip shortages, critical equipment challenges on the amount of the Russia-Ukraine war and its cascading effect on the supporting industry."

While talking about the Mahendragiri, he said, "This imposing, massive and formidable ship is the final ship in the series of the four frigates being built at MDL for the Indian Navy under P-17 Alpha Class or Nilgiri class ships. This highly complex platform in which 'Float, 'Move' and 'Fight' capabilities are achieved by integrating a web of complex systems while maintaining the stealth feature. When commissioned, this platform shall enhance the combat capability of the Indian Naval fleet. The P-17 Alpha Class frigates are being built using indigenously developed special steel. The construction of these vessels is a major boost for 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' and 'Make In India' The construction of this ship also introduces the integrated construction methodology thus ushering into a new era of building with a compressed delivery timeline."

Chief of Naval Staff Admiral R Hari Kumar while talking at the event said, "These ships draw their name from the erstwhile Nilgiri class which marked the beginning of our journey towards becoming a 'Builder's Navy' from a 'Buyer's Navy'. This was a very strategic decision to design in-house and build our ships indigenously. So when nobody believed, we dared and the results are there to be seen. We are now in the select group of nations that can build aircraft carriers. There are hardly seven or eight other such nations. So, our warship design bureau has designed over 90 ships of 20 different classes and Mahendragiri is yet another state-of-the-art multirole frigate. Made in India, Made by India, and Made for India."

He added, "The launch of Mahendragiri comes at an important time when a need for an assured umbrella of security is a must for sustaining the aspirational trajectory of the nation." 

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.

The Indian Navy in a statement said, "The launch of Mahendragiri serves as a testament to the remarkable strides India has taken in establishing a self-sufficient naval force."

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.