India’s public-sector shipyard Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Limited launched INS Vindhyagiri, the sixth Stealth Frigate of P17A or Project 17A being built for the Indian Navy, at its shipyard in Kolkata.
Hon’ble President of India Smt. Droupadi Murmu graced the launch ceremony of INS Vindhyagiri.
Project 17A is the largest surface combatant ever built by GRSE.
Previously, in February 2015, the Indian Navy contracted Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), to build three P17A frigates at an estimated cost of Rs 19,294 crore.
According to the terms of the contract, GRSE is slated to deliver the three frigates – INS Himgiri and INS Dunagiri and INS Vindhyagiri, in 2023, 2024 and 2025, respectively.
Currently, the first and second ship of the series INS Himgiri and INS Dunagiri respectively are undergoing outfitting at GRSE, while INS Vindhyagiri
The ships under Project 17 A will be far more advanced than any frigate ever operated by the Indian Navy.
About P17A / Nilgiri-class frigate
Project 17A or Nilgiri-class Frigates are the follow-on class of the Project 17 (Shivalik Class) Frigates, with improved stealth features, advanced weapons and sensors, and platform management systems.
The seven frigates are to be jointly constructed by two public-sector shipyards, namely, Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) and GRSE, with four of the frigates allotted to MDL and the remaining three allotted to GRSE.
As of now, all the seven Project 17A Frigates are under various stages of construction at MDL and GRSE.
To improve quality and shorten build times, P17A Advanced Frigates are being constructed using an Integrated Construction Methodology and improved pre-outfitting.
Also, over 75% of the orders of Project 17A, have been placed on indigenous firms including MSMEs, keeping in line with the Government’s vision of ‘Aatma Nirbhar Bharat’.
As for the specifications, these ships have a length of 149 metres and a displacement of over 6670 Tons.
The ship will be fitted with a 127mm main gun, two 30 mm AK-630M anti-aircraft artillery systems, two torpedo tubes, launchers for eight BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles and 32 Barak-8 surface to air missiles. Its main radar will be the MF-STAR by IAI.
Their cutting-edge CODOG Propulsion systems allow for speeds of over 28 knots. These frigates are a follow-up of the Shivalik Class (Project P-17) that are already in service with the Indian Navy.
They are equipped with powerful weapon & sensor packages capable of neutralising threats in all three dimensions – Air, Surface & Sub-surface.
Another distinctive feature of Project 17A is that construction is being carried out by GRSE simultaneously with MDL, based on the basic design created by the Directorate of Naval Design, Indian Navy.
An intelligent PDM PLM system is also being implemented to manage the project and aid in its life cycle management.
It is worth mentioning that GRSE has already delivered 108 warships, including two for export to Mauritius and Seychelles.
Presently, it is building 26 ships across 6 projects, of which 19 are warships being built for the Indian Navy and 16 of these 19 warships have been won on competitive bidding.
All of them have a high percentage of indigenous content that is in keeping with the Government’s strides towards self-reliance or Atmanirbharata.
Taking giant strides towards Aatmanirbharta, GRSE is seeking to diversify its business and earlier signed an MoU with M/s Rolls Royce for the co-production of high-speed Marine Diesel Engines.
The Shipyard has also recently signed a contract worth Rs 250 Crs (Approx.) for the manufacture and supply of 30 MM Naval Surface Guns to the Indian Navy.
