Why in News?
INS Mahendragiri is recently in the news because it was officially commissioned into the Indian Navy’s Eastern Fleet at Visakhapatnam on July 11, 2026.
Background & Project Details
- The commissioning ceremony was presided over by Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, marking a massive milestone in India's naval modernization and self-reliance drive.
- Project 17A (Nilgiri-class): It is the sixth indigenous stealth frigate built under this specific project, which acts as an advanced version of the older Shivalik-class frigates.
- The Manufacturer: The ship was designed in-house by the Indian Navy’s Warship Design Bureau (WDB) and constructed by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) in Mumbai.
- Nomenclature: It is named after the prominent Mahendragiri mountain peak located in the Eastern Ghats of Odisha, making it the first naval ship to bear this name.
- Motto: The ship operates under the resolute motto "Mighty, Majestic, Matchless".
Technical Specifications & Performance
- Dimensions & Weight: The advanced warship measures approximately 149 metres in length and features a displacement of roughly 6,670 tonnes.
- Propulsion System: It utilizes a Combined Diesel or Gas (CODOG) configuration. This pairs two gas turbines with two diesel engines to drive Controllable Pitch Propellers.
- Speed & Range: It is capable of cutting through waters at top speeds exceeding 28 knots (approx. 52 km/h) with a maximum range of 5,500 nautical miles.
- Crew Capacity: Fully automated platform monitoring allows the ship to efficiently sustain a crew of 226 personnel.
Weaponry, Sensors & Modern Warfare Capabilities
- Stealth Engineering: Engineered with a ultra-low Radar Cross-Section (RCS) using specialized radar-absorbing coatings, flush-mounted weapons, and infrared signature-reducing exhaust systems.
- Missile Arsenal: It is armed with formidable BrahMos supersonic surface-to-surface cruise missiles and Barak-8 (LR-SAM) long-range surface-to-air missiles.
- Anti-Submarine Defence: Outfitted with indigenous rocket launchers, specialized torpedo launchers, and an advanced HUMSA-NG sonar system to neutralize underwater threats.
- Electronic Warfare: Features an integrated Combat Management System alongside Kavach decoy launchers for short-range projectile defence.
Indigenous Push & Strategic Impact
- 75% Indigenisation: Over 75% of the equipment on the vessel is locally sourced, fulfilling the government's Aatmanirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India) vision.
- Economic Boost: The construction directly involved over 200 domestic firms, including multiple Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), generating thousands of local jobs.
- Multi-Mission Versatility: Beyond multi-domain combat (air, surface, sub-surface), the frigate is fully equipped for Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR), search and rescue operations, and extended blue-water deployments.
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