Visakhapatnam: The Indian Navy on Saturday significantly strengthened its maritime combat capabilities with the commissioning of INS Mahendragiri, the sixth indigenous Project 17A Nilgiri-class stealth frigate, at the Naval Dockyard in Visakhapatnam. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh formally inducted the advanced warship into the Navy’s fleet during a ceremonial event, where he also received the Guard of Honour.
The commissioning of INS Mahendragiri marks another major milestone in India’s journey towards defence self-reliance under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative. Designed and built in India with more than 75 per cent indigenous content, the state-of-the-art stealth frigate showcases the country’s growing expertise in warship design, construction and advanced naval technology.
Named After the Mahendragiri Hills
INS Mahendragiri derives its name from the Mahendragiri mountain range in the Eastern Ghats, symbolising resilience, strength and unwavering resolve. It is the first Indian Naval warship to carry this name and is expected to uphold a distinguished legacy while strengthening India’s maritime security in the years ahead.
The warship has been designed in-house by the Indian Navy’s Warship Design Bureau (WDB) and constructed by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) in Mumbai. It is the sixth vessel under the prestigious Project 17A programme, which represents the next generation of stealth-guided missile frigates built for the Indian Navy.
Advanced Stealth and Combat Capabilities
INS Mahendragiri is equipped with cutting-edge indigenous and modern weapon systems, advanced sensors, and electronic warfare equipment that significantly enhance its combat effectiveness. The frigate has been designed to undertake a wide range of naval operations, including anti-air warfare, anti-surface warfare, anti-submarine warfare and maritime surveillance.
Apart from combat operations, the warship is capable of carrying out humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) missions, search and rescue operations, maritime security patrols, and sustained deployments across the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) and beyond. Its advanced stealth features reduce radar detection, making it a formidable platform capable of operating effectively in complex maritime environments.
Boost to Indigenous Defence Manufacturing
With over three-fourths of its components sourced domestically, INS Mahendragiri highlights the success of India’s indigenous defence manufacturing ecosystem. The project involved the participation of numerous Indian companies, including several Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), contributing to technological advancement, employment generation and the strengthening of the country’s defence industrial base.
Officials said the Project 17A programme reflects India’s capability to design and construct sophisticated frontline warships using home-grown technology while reducing dependence on foreign defence imports.
Rajnath Singh Hails Milestone
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh described the commissioning of INS Mahendragiri as a proud moment for both the nation and the Indian Navy. Ahead of the ceremony, he had said the induction of the indigenous stealth frigate demonstrates India’s growing strength in defence production and technological innovation.
Calling the warship a symbol of self-reliance, Singh said it reflects the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat and the remarkable capabilities of India’s domestic defence industries and MSMEs.
He further stated that INS Mahendragiri is fully combat-ready to safeguard India’s maritime interests and strengthen the country’s strategic presence in the Indo-Pacific region.
Strengthening India’s Maritime Power
The induction of INS Mahendragiri comes as India continues to modernise its naval fleet amid evolving security challenges in the Indian Ocean Region. As more Project 17A frigates join active service, the Indian Navy’s operational capability, surveillance reach and deterrence strength are expected to receive a significant boost.
The commissioning also reinforces India’s position among a select group of nations capable of independently designing and building advanced stealth warships, further strengthening its role as a leading maritime power in the Indo-Pacific.
