Maritime supremacy through Project 17A; Indian Navy's new lethal warship

INS Mahendragiri will add to the lethal factor in the Indian Navy. It is an indigenously built state-of-the-art warship belonging to the stealth frigate class. It is characterised by state-of-the-art weapons and stealth technology that does not appear on radars. The construction is part of Project 17A. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said that this is a big step for India towards the goal of 'Atmanirbhar Bharat'.

The ship will protect India's maritime interests in the coastal waters and the deep sea. Singh also stated that INS Mahendragiri will play a crucial role in ensuring maritime security and maintaining the supremacy of the Indian Navy in the maritime domain. Navy Chief Admiral Krishna Swaminathan said that INS Mahendragiri is a symbol of India's growing maritime capability and technological self-reliance.

Warships built and commissioned as part of Project 17

January 2025: INS Nilgiri

August 2025: INS Udayagiri and INS Himagiri

April 2026: INS Taragiri

June 2026: INS Dunagiri

Features of Mahendragiri

Designed by the Navy's Warship Design Bureau. Displacement 6,670 tonnes and capable of reaching speeds of up to 28 knots.

Supersonic surface-to-surface missiles, submarine capability, embarked multirole helicopter, advanced stealth features, modern sensors, network-centric combat system, and sophisticated weapon suites

Can perform tasks including fleet air defence, antisurface warfare, antisubmarine warfare, maritime interdiction, surveillance, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR)