Why in news?
On 30 March 2026 the Indian Navy received INS Dunagiri, a stealth frigate built under Project 17A. Delivered at Garden Reach Shipbuilding & Engineers in Kolkata, it is the fifth Nilgiri‑class frigate delivered within sixteen months, marking a milestone in indigenous warship construction.
Background
Project 17A is an initiative to build advanced stealth frigates that succeed the Project 17 (Shivalik) class. Designed by the Navy’s Warship Design Bureau and constructed at GRSE and Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders, these vessels employ integrated construction techniques to reduce build time. INS Dunagiri revives the name of an earlier Leander‑class frigate that served from 1977 to 2010. With about 75 per cent indigenous content and participation of over 200 micro, small and medium enterprises, the project embodies the Aatmanirbhar Bharat vision.
Features
- Propulsion and control: Combined Diesel or Gas (CODOG) propulsion system with a diesel engine and gas turbine driving a controllable pitch propeller on each shaft. A state‑of‑the‑art Integrated Platform Management System enables automated monitoring.
- Weapons and sensors: Equipped with BrahMos supersonic surface‑to‑surface missiles, the MF‑STAR multi‑function radar integrated with the Medium‑Range Surface‑to‑Air Missile (MRSAM) system, a 76 mm super‑rapid gun mount, 30 mm and 12.7 mm close‑in weapon systems, and rockets and torpedoes for anti‑submarine warfare.
- Stealth and survivability: Incorporates advanced stealth features to reduce radar cross‑section and uses modern materials and systems to enhance survivability.
- Production efficiencies: Experience from previous ships enabled the build period to be reduced to 80 months, down from 93 months for the first ship in the class.
Significance
- Maritime capability: Enhances India’s blue‑water capabilities with a multi‑mission profile encompassing anti‑air, anti‑surface and anti‑submarine operations.
- Industrial development: High indigenous content and participation of MSMEs generate employment and strengthen the domestic defence manufacturing ecosystem.
- Strategic autonomy: Building modern warships domestically reduces reliance on foreign suppliers and aligns with the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
Conclusion
INS Dunagiri’s induction reflects the Indian Navy’s progress in indigenous warship construction. As more Project 17A frigates join the fleet, they will bolster maritime security, deter potential threats and showcase India’s growing prowess in naval engineering.
Source: Press Information Bureau
