Indian Navy commissions indigenous stealth frigate Mahendragiri

The Indian Navy will commission its sixth Project 17A stealth frigate, INS Mahendragiri (F38), on 11 July at Visakhapatnam. Designed by the Navy’s Warship Design Bureau and built by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders in Mumbai, the vessel incorporates more than 75 % indigenous content, reflecting the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative.

Mahendragiri is equipped with advanced stealth features, a reduced radar signature and a Combined Diesel‑or‑Gas (CODOG) propulsion system for high‑speed, long‑range operations. Its weapons suite includes BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles, Barak‑8 surface‑to‑air missiles, anti‑submarine warfare systems and sophisticated electronic‑warfare and combat‑management sensors.

The frigate is intended to serve as a versatile force multiplier for maritime security, power projection, humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, search‑and‑rescue and sustained presence missions, bolstering India’s role in the Indian Ocean and Indo‑Pacific region. The project engaged over 200 micro, small and medium enterprises, creating direct employment for roughly 4,000 workers and indirect jobs for more than 10,000 people.