INS Mahendragiri Joins Indian Navy
INS Mahendragiri is the sixth Project 17A stealth frigate to be inducted into the Navy within a span of about 18 months. Designed by the Indian Navy’s Warship Design Bureau and built by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL), Mumbai, the frontline warship has over 75 per cent indigenous content and represents India’s growing expertise in advanced naval shipbuilding.
Addressing the commissioning ceremony, the Raksha Mantri described INS Mahendragiri as a symbol of India’s expanding indigenous defence manufacturing ecosystem and emphasised that the warship would strengthen the Navy’s blue-water operational reach while reinforcing India’s maritime presence in the Indian Ocean Region.
Displacing approximately 6,670 tonnes and capable of speeds of up to 28 knots, INS Mahendragiri is equipped with advanced stealth features, modern sensors, network-centric combat systems and a comprehensive weapons package, including supersonic surface-to-surface missiles, medium-range surface-to-air missiles, anti-submarine warfare systems and an embarked multi-role helicopter.
The multi-mission stealth frigate is designed to undertake the full spectrum of maritime operations, including fleet air defence, anti-surface warfare, anti-submarine warfare, maritime interdiction, surveillance, and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) missions.
The commissioning of INS Mahendragiri further strengthens the Indian Navy’s operational capabilities while reinforcing the Government’s vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat in defence production and indigenous warship construction.