In Mahendragiri, proof of India's growing prowess in shipbuilding, Pg16

Key Highlights:

• INS Mahendragiri, an advanced stealth frigate, was inducted into the Indian Navy's Eastern Fleet in Visakhapatnam.
• It is the sixth indigenous stealth frigate commissioned under Project 17A, showcasing significant progress in indigenous shipbuilding.
• The warship features over 75% indigenous content and is equipped with BrahMos supersonic surface-to-surface missiles.
• India has commissioned 18 warships since December 2024, demonstrating growing prowess in indigenous defence manufacturing.

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Detailed Insights:

• INS Mahendragiri has a displacement of approximately 6,670 tonnes and is named after a mountain range in the Eastern Ghats.
• Project 17A frigates are versatile multi-mission platforms designed for deep-sea operations, reflecting a generational leap in ship design.
• Rapid inductions are driven by timely Acceptances of Necessity (AoNs) from the Defence Acquisition Council.
• Learnings from earlier Project 17A ships and modular construction have significantly compressed construction timelines.
• Public-private partnerships have reduced delivery timelines for major projects from 90 months to 72 months.
• A dedicated Navy team ensures close coordination with shipyards throughout the design and integration phases.
• Currently, 48 warships are under construction, with plans for next-generation destroyers also underway.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Project 17A: A class of advanced stealth frigates for the Indian Navy, emphasizing indigenous design and construction.
• BrahMos: A supersonic cruise missile developed jointly by India and Russia, capable of multi-platform launch.
• Defence Acquisition Council (DAC): The highest decision-making body in India's Ministry of Defence for capital acquisitions.
• Acceptance of Necessity (AoN): Initial approval by the DAC for the procurement of defence equipment.
• Project 15B: A class of indigenous guided-missile stealth destroyers for the Indian Navy, also known as the Visakhapatnam-class.