Defence Minister Rajnath Singh commissions INS Mahendragiri, India's sixth project 17A stealth frigate

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh commissioned INS Mahendragiri, the sixth Project 17A indigenous stealth frigate, into the Indian Navy's Eastern Fleet, marking a major milestone in India's push for defence self-reliance and indigenous warship construction.

The commissioning ceremony was held at the Eastern Naval Command (ENC) in Visakhapatnam in the presence of senior naval officers and other dignitaries.

Addressing the event, Singh said INS Mahendragiri significantly enhances India's maritime capabilities and can effectively counter threats from the air, surface and underwater domains.

"INS Mahendragiri can effectively counter threats from the air, enemy vessels on the surface and submarines beneath the sea. As a blue-water warship, it can protect India's maritime interests not only near the coast but also in distant and deep oceans for weeks at a time," he said.

The Defence Minister congratulated Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL), the Indian Navy and the ship's crew, describing the warship as a symbol of India's growing defence manufacturing capabilities under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative.

With a displacement of approximately 6,670 tonnes and a top speed of 28 knots, INS Mahendragiri is a multi-role stealth frigate capable of carrying out anti-air, anti-surface and anti-submarine warfare operations. The vessel features advanced stealth technology, reduced radar signature, enhanced survivability and a high degree of automation.

Singh highlighted that the warship has over 75 per cent indigenous content, reflecting India's expanding capabilities in defence design, manufacturing and technology.

The frigate is equipped with advanced combat systems, including the BrahMos surface-to-surface missile, a multifunction radar, long-range surface-to-air missile system, indigenous rocket launcher, torpedo launchers, integrated anti-submarine warfare systems, electronic warfare suite and close-in weapon system.

Apart from combat roles, INS Mahendragiri will also undertake maritime security operations, search and rescue missions, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) operations, as well as long-duration deployments across the Indian Ocean Region and beyond.

Named after the Mahendragiri mountain range in the Eastern Ghats, the warship is the first Indian naval vessel to carry the name. Its crest, featuring a goshawk perched atop the Mahendragiri hills, symbolises vigilance, precision and decisive action.

The Defence Minister said the induction of INS Mahendragiri further strengthens the Indian Navy's operational readiness while reinforcing India's position as a leading indigenous warship-building nation and a key security partner in the Indo-Pacific.