Visakhapatnam, 11 July (H.S.): Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday commissioned INS Mahendragiri, the sixth Project 17A indigenous stealth frigate, into the Indian Navy's Eastern Fleet, describing it as a major milestone in India's pursuit of defence self-reliance and indigenous warship construction.
The commissioning ceremony was held at the Naval Dockyard in Visakhapatnam in the presence of senior naval officers and other dignitaries.
Addressing the gathering, Singh said INS Mahendragiri is capable of effectively countering threats from the air, surface and underwater domains. He described it as a blue-water warship capable of safeguarding India's maritime interests not only along the coastline but also across distant oceans during prolonged deployments.
Congratulating Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL), the Indian Navy and the crew of the warship, the Defence Minister said the commissioning reflected India's growing capabilities in defence manufacturing under the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat.
With over 75 per cent indigenous content, INS Mahendragiri showcases India's advances in warship design, engineering and manufacturing. The multi-mission stealth frigate has a full-load displacement of about 6,670 tonnes and can attain a top speed of 28 knots.
The warship is equipped with advanced stealth features, a multifunction radar, long-range surface-to-air missile system, indigenous rocket launcher, torpedo launcher, integrated anti-submarine warfare systems, electronic warfare suite and close-in weapon system. It is also capable of carrying the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile.
Singh said the frigate would significantly enhance the Navy's capability to undertake anti-air, anti-surface and anti-submarine operations, besides maritime security, humanitarian assistance, disaster relief and search and rescue missions.
Named after the Mahendragiri mountain range in the Eastern Ghats, the vessel is the first Indian naval warship to bear the name. The Defence Minister said its crest, featuring a goshawk perched atop the Mahendragiri hills, symbolises vigilance, patience and decisive action.
He said the induction of INS Mahendragiri further strengthens India's maritime security architecture and reinforces the country's position as a leading indigenous warship-building nation and a preferred security partner in the Indian Ocean Region.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar
