Indian Navy Inducts ‘Mahendragiri’, Sixth Project 17A Stealth Frigate
Delivery within 17 months of lead ship highlights rapid indigenous warship-building capability
Constructed by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited in Mumbai, the warship was formally delivered on April 30, 2026.
New Delhi: The Indian Navy has taken delivery of ‘Mahendragiri’, the sixth Project 17A (Nilgiri-class) stealth frigate, marking a major milestone in India’s indigenous warship-building programme and maritime capability expansion.
Constructed by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited in Mumbai, the warship was formally delivered on April 30, 2026. It is the fourth ship of the class built at the shipyard and the sixth overall under Project 17A.
Designed by the Warship Design Bureau of the Indian Navy and overseen by the Warship Overseeing Team (Mumbai), the Nilgiri-class frigates represent a generational leap in naval design, stealth, survivability, and combat readiness.
The delivery of Mahendragiri comes within 17 months of the commissioning of the lead ship ‘Nilgiri’ in December 2024, underlining the accelerated pace of indigenous shipbuilding.
Project 17A frigates are advanced multi-mission platforms equipped to handle a wide spectrum of maritime threats. Compared to the earlier Shivalik-class frigate (Project 17), the new class incorporates enhanced stealth features, superior firepower, and higher levels of automation and survivability.
The warships are powered by a Combined Diesel or Gas (CODOG) propulsion system, integrating diesel engines and gas turbines driving controllable pitch propellers. They are also fitted with a modern Integrated Platform Management System (IPMS), enabling efficient onboard operations.
The combat suite onboard includes advanced anti-surface, anti-air, and anti-submarine warfare systems, making the frigates versatile assets for contemporary and future naval operations.
With an indigenous content of nearly 75%, Project 17A reflects the government’s push towards self-reliance under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative. The programme has engaged over 200 MSMEs and generated employment for around 4,000 personnel directly and more than 10,000 indirectly.
The induction of Mahendragiri further strengthens India’s naval capabilities while showcasing the country’s growing expertise in complex warship design and construction.
