Vindhyagiri
Vindhyagiri, the sixth Stealth Frigate of Project 17A being built at Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata.
M/s GRSE has established itself as a reliable partner of the Indian Navy, with a record of multiple successful conventional launches in the past.
The ship named after the mountain range in Karnataka.
Vindhyagiri, a technologically advanced frigate, pays tribute to its predecessor, the erstwhile INS Vindhyagiri.
President Droupadi Murmu on 17th August 2023 launched Vindhyagiri.
Project 17A (Alpha)
Project 17 Alpha frigates (P-17A) were launched by the Indian Navy in 2019.
The project was launched by the defence forces of India to construct a series of stealth guided-missile frigates, which are currently being constructed by two companies - Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders (MDL) and Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE).
Project 17A Frigates are the follow-on class of the Project 17 (Shivalik Class) Frigates, with
Improved stealth features
Advanced weapons & sensors
Radar-absorbent coatings
Platform management systems.
Technology to reduces the infrared signals of the ship.
Seven Project 17A Frigates are under various stages of construction at MDL and GRSE.
The ships have been named INS Nilgiri, INS Himgiri, INS Udaygiri, INS Dunagiri, INS Taragiri, INS Vindhyagiri and INS Mahendragiri after the names of hill ranges.
Between 2019 and 2022, Five P17A Project ships have been launched.
These were 'Nilgiri', 'Himgiri', 'Udaygiri','Dunagiri' and Taragiri and the sixth frigate is 'Vindhyagiri'.
The first stealth ship launched under Project 17A was the Nilgiri, which was launched in 2019.
The design of Advanced Stealth Frigates also showcases the prowess of the Warship Design Bureau, in designing technologically advanced warships for the Indian Navy.
With the launch, the Nation's indigenous expertise and engineering capabilities receives a major boost, reducing India’s dependence on foreign suppliers, promoting self-reliance and fostering a robust defence industrial base.
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’.
Economic development, employment generation, growth of MSMEs and ancillary industry in the country, are positive spin offs of the shipbuilding project.
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