Navy gets new stealth frigate as Rajnath Singh commissions INS Mahendragiri

The Indian Navy has officially welcomed INS Mahendragiri into its fleet, a state-of-the-art stealth frigate built entirely in India. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh commissioned the warship on Saturday at the Visakhapatnam dockyard. Mahendragiri is the sixth ship of the Project 17A Nilgiri-class frigates, signifying India's growing prowess in indigenous warship design and construction.

Designed by the Indian Navy's Warship Design Bureau and constructed by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited in Mumbai, the frigate embodies the 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' (self-reliant India) initiative. With over 75% indigenous content, its construction has significantly boosted the Indian shipbuilding ecosystem, involving numerous Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and strengthening the nation's defense industrial base.

Named after the Mahendragiri mountain range in the Eastern Ghats, the warship symbolizes resilience and strength. It is equipped with an advanced suite of indigenous weapons, sensors, and electronic warfare systems, enabling it to conduct a wide range of operations, including anti-air, anti-surface, and anti-submarine warfare. The ship is also prepared for maritime security operations, Search and Rescue missions, and Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) deployments.

The commissioning of INS Mahendragiri marks a significant milestone for the Project 17A program. As more frigates of this class join the fleet, they are expected to substantially enhance the Indian Navy's combat capabilities and reinforce India's standing as a leading nation in indigenous warship building.

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Heading to Visakhapatnam to witness a proud moment for our nation and the Indian Navy, for the Commissioning