Stealth Frigate Mahendragiri
Why in News?
The stealth frigate 'Mahendragiri' is in the news because it was officially delivered to the Indian Navy on April 30, 2026. This marks a major milestone as the final ship of the Project 17A class to be built by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL).
Facts
- Milestone Achievement: It is the sixth ship of the Nilgiri-class to be delivered and the fourth and final one constructed by MDL under Project 17A.
- Aatmanirbhar Bharat: The ship features 75% indigenous content, involving over 200 MSMEs in its construction.
- Strategic Boost: Its induction is seen as a "force multiplier" for the Navy's capabilities in the Indian Ocean Region, especially following recent regional conflicts where similar class weapons were tested.
Project & Construction
- Class: Part of the Nilgiri-class (Project 17A), which are advanced versions of the earlier Shivalik-class (Project 17).
- Design: Developed in-house by the Indian Navy’s Warship Design Bureau (WDB).
- Builder: Constructed by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL), Mumbai.
- Namesake: Named after the Mahendragiri mountain peak in the Eastern Ghats of Odisha.
- Integrated Construction: Built using a modern modular methodology, where segments are pre-outfitted before assembly to reduce building time.
Technical Specifications & Weaponry
- Stealth Features: Designed with a low radar cross-section (RCS) and radar-suppression screens to make it difficult to detect.
- Dimensions: Measures 149 metres in length and 17.8 metres in width, with a displacement of approximately 6,670 tonnes.
- Propulsion: Uses a CODAG (Combined Diesel and Gas) system, reaching speeds over 28 knots.
- Offensive Weapons:
- 8 BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles for anti-ship and land-attack roles.
- 32 Barak-8 (MR-SAM) surface-to-air missiles for air defence.
- Guns & Torpedoes:
- One 76 mm Super Rapid Gun Mount (SRGM).
- Two AK-630M Close-in Weapon Systems (CIWS) for point defence.
- Triple-tube torpedo launchers and RBU-6000 rocket launchers for anti-submarine warfare.
- Sensors: Equipped with the IAI EL/M-2248 MF-STAR AESA radar for long-range tracking.
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