Why in news?
On 30 April 2026 the Indian Navy took delivery of INS Mahendragiri, the sixth and final ship of the indigenous Nilgiri‑class (Project 17A) frigate programme. Built by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDSL) in Mumbai, the ship will soon join the fleet to enhance India’s surface warfare capability.
Background
Project 17A is a series of seven stealth frigates designed by the Warship Design Bureau of the Indian Navy and constructed at MDSL and Garden Reach Shipbuilders. These multi‑mission vessels are successors to the earlier Shivalik‑class (Project 17) frigates. They incorporate improved stealth features, automation and indigenous weapon systems in line with India’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat (self‑reliance) initiative.
Key features of INS Mahendragiri
- Stealth design: Angled surfaces, low‑observability superstructure and radar‑absorbing materials reduce the ship’s radar cross‑section.
- Propulsion: Combined Diesel‑or‑Gas (CODOG) system using two diesel engines for cruising and a gas turbine for high‑speed sprinting. Controllable‑pitch propellers and an integrated platform management system allow efficient operation.
- Weapons and sensors: Equipped with the MF‑STAR active phased array radar, BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles for anti‑ship and land‑attack roles, Barak‑8 surface‑to‑air missiles, torpedo tubes and anti‑submarine rockets. It can also carry an embarked helicopter for reconnaissance and anti‑submarine warfare.
- Automation: High levels of automation reduce crew workload. The ship uses an integrated management system to control machinery, power generation and damage‑control systems.
- Indigenisation: About 75 % of the ship’s equipment and systems are sourced from Indian companies. Over 200 micro‑, small‑ and medium‑sized enterprises (MSMEs) contributed to the programme, creating thousands of jobs.
Significance
The Nilgiri‑class frigates strengthen the Indian Navy’s ability to perform anti‑air, anti‑surface and anti‑submarine missions. They also showcase progress in domestic shipbuilding, boost employment and support technology transfer to smaller firms. Once commissioned, INS Mahendragiri will work alongside her sisters — INS Nilgiri, Himgiri, Udaygiri, Taragiri and Vindhyagiri — to safeguard India’s maritime interests.
