Indian Navy commissions indigenous stealth frigate INS Mahendragiri into Eastern Fleet

Key facts

• INS Mahendragiri is a 6,670-ton indigenous stealth frigate capable of carrying BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles.
• The frigate was commissioned into the Eastern Fleet at Visakhapatnam, with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh attending the ceremony.
• It is the sixth vessel of the Nilgiri-class under Project 17A, designed by the Indian Navy's Warship Design Bureau and built by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited.
• The warship carries a 32-cell vertical launch system for Barak-8 medium-range surface-to-air missiles.
• It is powered by a Combined Diesel or Gas (CODOG) propulsion system, enabling speeds of up to 28 knots.
• INS Mahendragiri features advanced stealth characteristics, reduced radar signature, and high automation for survivability and efficiency.
• The frigate is equipped with a multi-role helicopter to enhance anti-submarine and surveillance capabilities.
• The final ship of Project 17A, Vindhyagiri, is expected to complete the ₹45,000 crore programme.
• The commissioning marks the sixth stealth frigate inducted in 18 months, reflecting accelerated shipbuilding timelines.
• Its motto is 'Mighty–Majestic–Matchless', and its crest features a goshawk perched atop the Mahendragiri mountain.