Mahendragirithe last frigate of Project 17A, will be launched by Dr (Smt.) Sudesh Dhankhar, wife of the Hon’ble Vice President of India, Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar, at M/s Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited, Mumbai, on 1 Sep 23.
Mahendragiri, named after a mountain peak in the Eastern Ghats located in the state of Orissa, is the seventh ship of the Project 17A frigates. These warships are sequels to the Project 17-class (Shivalik-class) frigates, with improved stealth characteristics, advanced weapons and sensors, and deck management systems. The newly baptized Mahendragiri she is a technologically advanced warship and symbolizes India’s determination to embrace her rich naval heritage while forging ahead towards a future of indigenous defense capabilities.
A total of four vessels of M/s MDL and three vessels of M/s GRSE are under construction under the Project 17A programme. The first six ships of the project have been launched so far by MDL and GRSE, between 2019 and 2023.
Project 17A ships were designed in-house by the Warship Design Bureau of the Indian Navy, the pioneering organization for all warship design activities. In line with the country’s resolute commitment to the “Aatma Nirbharata”, a substantial 75% of the orders for equipment and systems on Project 17A vessels were placed with indigenous companies, including micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs). . The launch of Mahendragiri It is a powerful testament to the incredible progress our Nation has made in building a self-sustaining naval force.
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VM/JSN
