Launch of Mahendragiri, the Last Project 17A Frigate

The final Project 17A Frigate, named Mahendragiri, is set to be launched by Dr. (Smt.) Sudesh Dhankhar, the wife of Hon’ble Vice President of India, Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar. The launch event will take place at M/s Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited in Mumbai on September 1, 2023. This marks an important milestone in the development and construction of Project 17A Frigates.

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About Mahendragiri

Named after a prominent mountain peak in the Eastern Ghats located in the state of Odisha, Mahendragiri is the seventh ship of the Project 17A Frigates. These frigates are a continuation of the Project 17 Class Frigates (Shivalik Class) but with enhanced stealth features, advanced weaponry, sensors, and platform management systems.

The newly launched Mahendragiri represents a significant technological advancement in naval warfare and reflects India’s dedication to preserving its naval heritage while advancing its capabilities in indigenous defense.

About Project 17A

Project 17A is a plan by the Indian Navy to build seven new stealth guided-missile frigates. The frigates will be constructed by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) and Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE).

The Project 17A frigates are based on the Shivalik-class frigates, but they will have a number of improvements, including:

Stealthier design
Advanced weapons and sensors
Increased endurance

The Project 17A frigates will be the most advanced warships in the Indian Navy. They will be equipped with a range of weapons and sensors, including:

Surface-to-surface missiles
Anti-submarine missiles
Anti-aircraft missiles
Electronic warfare systems
Radars

The Project 17A frigates will be able to operate in all weather conditions and in a variety of threat environments. They will be a major asset to the Indian Navy and will help to protect India’s maritime interests.

The first Project 17A frigate, the Nilgiri, was launched in 2019. The remaining six frigates are expected to be launched by 2027. The Project 17A frigates will be a major addition to the Indian Navy and will help to modernize the fleet.

Significance

The Project 17A initiative includes the construction of four ships by M/s MDL and three ships by M/s GRSE. The first five ships of the project were launched by MDL and GRSE between 2019 and 2022.

The design of Project 17A ships has been undertaken in-house by the Indian Navy’s Warship Design Bureau, which is a pioneering entity for all warship design endeavors.
Reflecting India’s strong commitment to ‘AatmaNirbharta’ (self-reliance), a significant 75% of equipment and systems orders for Project 17A ships are sourced from indigenous companies, including Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).

The launch of Mahendragiri stands as a proud testament to the remarkable strides our nation has taken in establishing a self-sufficient and self-reliant naval force.

Shubham Mittal

Shubham Mittal is a renowned current affairs writer and expert in government exam preparation, inspiring readers with insightful articles and guiding aspirants with his expertise.

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