The Indian Navy commissioned the indigenously built advanced stealth frigate INS Mahendragiri into its Eastern Fleet during a ceremony attended by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh at Visakhapatnam on July 11. The warship, built under Project 17A, marks another milestone in India’s indigenous warship construction programme and further strengthens the Navy’s combat capabilities in the Indian Ocean Region.
Designed by the Indian Navy’s Warship Design Bureau and constructed by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL), Mumbai, INS Mahendragiri is the sixth Project 17A stealth frigate to enter service within just 18 months. It follows the commissioning of INS Nilgiri, INS Udaygiri, INS Himgiri, INS Taragiri and INS Dunagiri, reflecting the rapid pace of India’s naval modernisation.
With over 75% indigenous content, the 6,670-tonne warship is capable of speeds up to 28 knots and is designed to undertake a wide range of maritime operations, including fleet air defence, anti-surface warfare, anti-submarine warfare, maritime interdiction, surveillance, and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief missions.
The frigate is equipped with advanced stealth features, network-centric combat systems, modern sensors, supersonic surface-to-surface missiles, medium-range surface-to-air missiles, anti-submarine warfare systems and an embarked multi-role helicopter. Rajnath Singh highlighted that the vessel can be armed with BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles and also features multifunction radar, indigenous rocket launchers, torpedo launchers, an Integrated Anti-Submarine Defence System, electronic warfare suite and Close-In Weapon System.
Describing INS Mahendragiri as a symbol of Aatmanirbhar Bharat, Rajnath Singh said the warship showcases India’s growing design expertise, manufacturing capability and expanding naval-industrial ecosystem. He stated that while emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, drones, cyber warfare and hypersonic weapons are reshaping modern warfare, conventional military capabilities remain the foundation of national defence. He added that the government will continue investing in next-generation technologies while strengthening conventional military assets.
The Defence Minister also underlined the strategic importance of maritime security, stating that India’s economic growth, trade routes, energy security and supply chains depend heavily on secure seas. Reaffirming the SAGAR vision, he described India as a net security provider in the Indo-Pacific and praised the Indian Navy for earning recognition as the region’s First Responder and Preferred Security Partner through humanitarian missions, anti-piracy operations and evacuation efforts.
Referring to Operation Urja Suraksha during the West Asia conflict, Rajnath Singh noted that the Navy safely escorted 18 merchant vessels carrying cargo worth over ₹9,000 crore, demonstrating its critical role in protecting India’s economic interests. He expressed confidence that INS Mahendragiri would enhance India’s blue-water operational reach and strengthen its presence across the Indian Ocean Region.
Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Krishna Swaminathan described INS Mahendragiri as a testament to India’s growing maritime capability and technological self-reliance. He highlighted significant achievements under the Project 17A programme, including reducing the launch-to-delivery timeline from 63 months to 31 months, cutting overall construction time from 95 months to 75 months and completing all technical analyses in a single sea trial instead of the conventional five to seven trials.
Named after the Mahendragiri mountain range in the Eastern Ghats, INS Mahendragiri carries the motto “Mighty, Majestic, Matchless.” Built with contributions from over 200 Indian industries, including numerous MSMEs, the warship features advanced stealth characteristics, Combined Diesel or Gas propulsion, an Integrated Platform Management System and advanced indigenous combat systems. With its induction into the Eastern Fleet, INS Mahendragiri is set to significantly enhance the Indian Navy’s operational capability and reinforce India’s vision of a future-ready, self-reliant maritime force.
