India’s new stealth warship Mahendragiri to be launched in Mumbai on September 1

On the first of September 2023, India’s new frigate Mahendragiri will likely be launched from Mazagon Dock in Mumbai, the Ministry of Defence stated. According to an announcement issued by the Vice President’s Secretariat on Wednesday (30 August), Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar alongside together with his spouse Sudesh will go to Mumbai on the first of September. Vice President is alleged to be the chief visitor on the launch ceremony of the brand new warship. 

Mahendragiri, the final of Project 17A Frigates – designed by #IndianNavy’s Warship Design Bureau – will likely be launched by Dr (Smt) Sudesh Dhankhar, spouse of @VPIndia, Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar, at M/s @MazagonDockLtd, Mumbai on 01 Sep 23.#AatmaNirbharBharathttps://t.co/kWbH3LBEiy pic.twitter.com/ICv4ibYqgb

— SpokespersonNavy (@indiannavy) August 30, 2023

In its official press launch in PIB, the Ministry famous that Mahendragiri is the seventh and final ship beneath Project 17A Frigates. These warships have improved stealth options, superior weapons, and sensors together with platform administration programs. The official assertion highlights that these warships are an evolution from the Project 17 Class Frigates popularly often known as Shivalik Class.

Notably, these new frigates are named after a mountain peak, Mahendragiri that’s situated within the Eastern Ghats within the state of Orissa. These are technologically superior warships and are a logo of India’s dedication to embrace its wealthy naval heritage, the assertion added. With these superior warships, the Indian navy is propelling itself towards a way forward for indigenous protection capabilities.

Project 17A

Earlier, on the seventeenth of August, President Droupadi Murmu launched Vindhyagiri at GRSE. It was the sixth warship to be launched beneath Project 17A. Between, 2019-2023, the opposite six ships of Project 17A have been launched thus far by MDL & GRSE. 

It is pertinent to notice that Project 17A was rolled out in 2019 to assemble a collection of stealth guided-missile frigates. In 2019, the primary stealth ship launched beneath this program was the Nilgiri frigate. Project 17A is a follow-up of the Project 17 Class Frigates (Shivalik Class), with improved stealth options, superior weapons and sensors and platform administration programs.

It is vital to notice {that a} warship’s launch is a major milestone in its development. This is when the ship goes into the water for the primary time. The Project 17A warships are at the moment in several phases of development and are anticipated to be delivered to the navy throughout 2024-26. Overall, 4 warships by Mazagoan Dock Private Limited whereas three ships by M/s GRSE are beneath development, beneath the Project 17A program. 

The Ministry has additionally highlighted that this can be a important achievement for constructing a self-reliant naval pressure as Project 17A ships have been designed in-house by the Indian Navy’s Warship Design Bureau. It is taken into account the pioneer organisation for all warship design actions. 

In line with the ‘Aatma Nirbharata’ initiative, a considerable 75% of the orders for gear and programs beneath Project 17A ships have been ordered from indigenous corporations, together with Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). 

Lauding the achievement, the Ministry stated, “The launch of Mahendragiri is an apt testament to the incredible progress our Nation has made in building a self-reliant naval force.”