The Indian Navy will commission INS Mahendragiri, the sixth indigenous stealth frigate under Project 17A, into its Eastern Fleet at Visakhapatnam on July 11, 2026. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will preside over the ceremony, marking progress in national defence self-reliance and domestic warship production.
INS Mahendragiri is the sixth vessel in the Nilgiri-class frigates built under Project 17A and the fourth constructed by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited. The ship demonstrates advances in India’s warship design and construction capabilities. It is the sixth Project 17A frigate delivered to the Navy in under 17 months since the first vessel, INS Nilgiri, arrived on December 20, 2024.
Project 17A frigates serve as versatile, multi-role platforms suited for current and future maritime tasks. The class features improvements in naval architecture, stealth design, armament, automation and resilience, reflecting efforts toward greater self-sufficiency in defence production.
Designed by the Warship Design Bureau and supervised by the Warship Overseeing Team in Mumbai, the frigates were built using an integrated construction method that allowed timely completion and delivery.
The vessel is named after the Mahendragiri mountain range in the Eastern Ghats, representing strength and endurance. It is the first Indian naval ship to carry this name and underscores the expansion of the domestic shipbuilding sector.
Mahendragiri includes advanced stealth characteristics, improved survivability, lower radar visibility and extensive automation. It uses a Combined Diesel or Gas propulsion system for high-speed performance and extended range. With over 75 percent indigenous content, its construction engaged numerous Indian suppliers, including micro, small and medium enterprises, supporting jobs and the local defence industry.
The frigate carries indigenous and contemporary weapons and sensors, such as surface-to-surface and surface-to-air missiles, electronic warfare equipment, anti-submarine systems and an integrated combat management suite. It can conduct anti-air, anti-surface and anti-submarine missions as well as maritime security, power projection, humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, search and rescue, and extended sea deployments.
The commissioning strengthens the Navy’s operational reach and highlights India’s position among nations capable of building advanced warships domestically. The ship, bearing the motto “Mighty, Majestic, Matchless,” is expected to support maritime security in the Indian Ocean Region and Indo-Pacific.
