The INS Dunagiri, a modern warship, will be commissioned into the Indian Navy in Kolkata by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This frigate is part of the Navy’s Project 17A and is a stealth vessel designed to evade radar detection. Compared to its predecessor, the new INS Dunagiri has a larger size and displacement, with advanced features for enhanced combat capabilities.
The original INS Dunagiri, a Leander-class frigate, was commissioned 49 years ago and had a traditional steel superstructure. In contrast, the new warship is equipped with radar-absorbent materials and stealth technology to reduce its radar cross-section significantly. It features modern armaments such as BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles and a Vertical Launch System for Medium Range Surface to Air Missiles.
Unlike its predecessor, the new INS Dunagiri has a more extensive deck that can accommodate and service two multi-role helicopters simultaneously. The warship boasts a high level of indigenous content, including the use of DMR 249A shipbuilding steel for its hull and an Integrated Platform Management System developed locally. Additionally, the ship’s propulsion system, Controllable Pitch Propellers, torpedo and rocket launchers, as well as electronic warfare and sonar suites, are all indigenous components.
The INS Dunagiri represents a significant advancement in the Indian Navy’s capabilities, with its state-of-the-art technology and enhanced combat systems. The commissioning of this advanced warship marks a milestone in India’s naval defense preparedness and showcases the country’s growing self-reliance in defense manufacturing.
