Indian Navy commissions sixth Project 17A frigate

July 14, 2026, by Fatima Bahtić

The Indian Navy inducted the indigenously-built Project 17A frigate INS Mahendragiri into its Eastern Fleet during a ceremony held in Visakhapatnam on July 11, 2026.

As informed, the vessel is the sixth Project 17A indigenous stealth frigate to be inducted into the Indian Navy in a span of just 1.5 years.

The first ship of the series, INS Nilgiri, was commissioned in January 2025, followed by INS Udaygiri and INS Himgiri in August, INS Taragiri in April this year and INS Dunagiri last month.

Indian Navy commissions three GRSE-built warships

Vessels

Designed by the Indian Navy’s Warship Design Bureau and built by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL), Mumbai, the ship is capable of undertaking the full spectrum of maritime operations, including fleet air defence, anti-surface warfare, anti-submarine warfare, maritime interdiction, surveillance and humanitarian assistance & disaster relief (HADR).

The warship, with over 75 percent indigenous content, has a displacement of approximately 6,670 tonnes and the capability to reach speeds of up to 28 knots. It is equipped with supersonic surface-to-surface missiles, medium-range surface-to-air missiles, anti-submarine warfare capabilities and an embarked multi-role helicopter, as well as advanced stealth features, modern sensors, network-centric combat systems and modern weapon suites.

“INS Mahendragiri can be equipped with the BrahMos surface-to-surface missile, one of the world’s fastest and most lethal cruise missiles. It also features a combination of multifunction radar and Surface-to-Air Missiles capable of detecting and neutralising aerial threats at extended ranges. Its arsenal also includes an indigenous rocket launcher, torpedo launchers, an Integrated Anti-Submarine Defence System, an Electronic Warfare suite and a Close-In Weapon System. All these capabilities make the warship formidable and resilient,” Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh said.

Raksha Mantri emphasised that while emerging technologies such as drones, artificial intelligence, cyber warfare, space-based capabilities, hypersonic weapons and unmanned systems have significantly transformed the nature of warfare, conventional military capabilities continue to form the bedrock of effective defence.

“Future wars may be fought with Artificial Intelligence, but they will still be won by national resolve, trained soldiers and credible military power,” he added.

Raksha Mantri asserted that maritime and economic security are closely linked to each other, and the seas are vital not only for national security but also for trade, supply chains, energy security and economic growth. Highlighting the strategic importance of the Indo-Pacific region, he reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to the vision of Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR).

Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Krishna Swaminathan termed INS Mahendragiri a symbol of India’s growing maritime capability and technological self-reliance.

He stated that the commissioning of the sixth Project 17A frigate marks another milestone in indigenous warship construction, significantly enhancing the Indian Navy’s operational capability. He reaffirmed that the Indian Navy remains a combat-ready, credible, cohesive and future-ready force.