New Delhi: The Indian Navy is poised to commission its sixth indigenous stealth frigate, INS Mahendragiri (F38), at Visakhapatnam on July 11, officials said, adding a modern, locally built warship to the fleet amid a push for self-reliance in defence production.
The vessel carries a contemporary mix of weapons and sensors, including surface-to-surface and surface-to-air missiles, and is fitted with electronic-warfare systems.
Named for the Mahendragiri range in the Eastern Ghats, Mahendragiri was penned by the Navy’s Warship Design Bureau and constructed by Mumbai‑based Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited, as reported by NDTV. The ship is the first to bear the name and is the sixth Nilgiri-class frigate delivered under Project 17A, a programme aimed at producing stealthy, multi-role frontline ships domestically.
The frigate incorporates sophisticated automation, enhanced survivability features and a low radar cross-section, traits the Navy said make it among the most capable indigenous surface combatants to date. A Combined Diesel or Gas (CODOG) propulsion system gives it the speed and endurance suited to sustained deployments and high-tempo operations across varied maritime missions.
Over 75% Indigenous Components
With over 75% indigenous content, INS Mahendragiri exemplifies the government’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative and highlights the deepening role of India’s defence industrial base, officials said, noting the contribution of numerous micro, small and medium enterprises to its construction and systems fit.
Multi-Role Platform For Regional Operations
The Navy said the ship is fitted with an integrated suite of weapons and sensors — surface-to-surface and surface-to-air missiles, electronic-warfare systems, anti-submarine warfare equipment and an integrated combat management system — enabling it to undertake anti-air, anti-surface and anti-submarine warfare. Beyond combat duties, the platform is intended for maritime security patrols, power projection, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, search-and-rescue missions, and extended deployments in the Indian Ocean region.
The service added that induction of INS Mahendragiri will strengthen operational capacity and further cement India’s credentials as an emerging indigenous warship builder.
Project 17A Rollout
INS Nilgiri, the lead ship of the Project 17A class, was commissioned on January 15, 2025, and was followed by INS Udaygiri and INS Himgiri on August 26, 2025. The fourth vessel, INS Taragiri, was commissioned at Visakhapatnam on April 3; equipped with an advanced weapons fit that includes a supersonic missile system, Taragiri expanded the Navy’s indigenous maritime combat capabilities.
As the remaining Project 17A frigates are inducted, the Navy expects them to play a pivotal role in safeguarding India’s maritime interests and contributing to stability across the Indo‑Pacific.
