INS Mahendragiri

Why is in news? Text of the Vice-President’s address at the launch of the warship Mahendragiri in Mumbai

The Vice President emphasized that India's economic growth and global ascendancy necessitate a modernized Navy to protect nations maritime interests and shoulder additional responsibilities particularly in the current geo-political and security situation that prevails in the Indian Ocean region.

Recognising the enhanced capability of India’s naval force, he underlined country’s role as the net security provider in the Indo-Pacific region, and also described India as “an important global player to secure and ensure a peaceful, Rule-Based Maritime Regime, which is facing many challenges at the moment.”

About the frigate:

INS Mahendragiri is a Nilgiri-class (Project-17 Alpha) frigate of the Indian Navy.

It was built at Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) in Mumbai and was formally launched on 1 September 2023.

It is named after a mountain peak of the Eastern Ghats of Orissa, Mahendragiri is the seventh and final ship of the P-17A Frigates.

It is the advanced version of Shivalik-class frigates with enhanced stealth features, upgraded weapons and sensors and better platform management systems on-board.

Mahendragiri is internally designed by Indian Navy’s Warship Design Bureau and has indigenously evolved stealth guided-missile frigate equipped with state-of-the-art technology.

The length of this warship is 149 metres and breadth 17.8 metres and it can go up to speeds of 28 knots.

INS Vindhyagiri, the sixth Project 17A warship was launched by President Droupadi Murmu at Garden Reach Ship Builders and Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata, on 17 August 2023.

Project 17A:

Project 17 Alpha frigates (P-17A) were launched by the Indian Navy in 2019 to construct a series of stealth guided-missile frigates.

These are currently being constructed by two companies - Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders (MDL) and Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE).

These guided-missile frigates have been constructed with a specific stealth design, which has radar-absorbent coatings and is low-observable which can make its approach undetectable for the enemies.

The new technology also reduces the infrared signals of the ship.

The first stealth ship launched under Project 17A was the Nilgiri, which was launched in 2019.