Less than a month after INS Dunagiri’s commissioning, the Indian Navy is preparing to induct its sixth Project 17A indigenous stealth frigate, INS Mahendragiri. Built by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd in Mumbai, INS Mahendragiri is scheduled for commissioning at Visakhapatnam on July 11, 2026, indicating its likely assignment to the Eastern Fleet.
The previous frigate of this series, INS Dunagiri, was commissioned in Kolkata on June 21 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Meanwhile, the final frigate of the class, INS Vindhyagiri, is currently under construction at Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) Ltd in Kolkata.
Named after the majestic Mahendragiri mountain range in the Eastern Ghats, INS Mahendragiri symbolizes resilience, strength, and unwavering resolve. It is the largest and most advanced class of frigates built and operated by the Indian Navy, ranking among the world’s largest frigates.
Featuring advanced stealth capabilities, enhanced survivability, reduced radar signature, and high automation, INS Mahendragiri is powered by a modern Combined Diesel or Gas (CODOG) propulsion system. With over 75% indigenous content, the frigate reflects the government’s Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative, involving numerous Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in its construction.
Equipped with a sophisticated array of indigenous weapons and sensors, including BrahMos and Barak-8 missile systems, electronic warfare capabilities, and anti-submarine warfare systems, INS Mahendragiri is versatile in anti-air, anti-surface, and anti-submarine operations. It is also well-suited for maritime security, power projection, humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, search and rescue missions, and sustained presence operations.
“The commissioning will mark another significant milestone in the successful execution of the Project 17A program, strengthening the Indian Navy’s combat capability and India’s position as a leading indigenous warship-building nation,” stated the Ministry of Defence. INS Mahendragiri aims to enhance India’s maritime interests, contributing to a secure, stable, and prosperous Indo-Pacific region, embodying its motto — ‘Mighty-Majestic-Matchless.’
