INS Mahendragiri inducted into Navy’s Eastern Fleet
The Indian Navy on Saturday inducted the indigenously built stealth frigate INS Mahendragiri into its Eastern Fleet during a commissioning ceremony at Visakhapatnam, with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh presiding over the event.
The sixth Project 17A stealth frigate to enter service, INS Mahendragiri, has been designed by the Navy’s Warship Design Bureau and built by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL). With over 75% indigenous content, the 6,670-tonne warship is equipped for fleet air defence, anti-surface and anti-submarine warfare, maritime surveillance, and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations.
Addressing the ceremony, Mr. Singh described the commissioning as a significant milestone in India’s pursuit of self-reliance in defence manufacturing. He said the frigate, capable of carrying the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile, advanced air defence systems, anti-submarine weapons, and electronic warfare equipment, would strengthen India’s maritime security and extend the Navy’s operational reach in the Indian Ocean Region.
Stressing the changing nature of warfare, the Defence Minister said emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and drones were reshaping military operations, but conventional military capabilities remained indispensable. “Future wars may be fought with Artificial Intelligence, but they will still be won by national resolve, trained soldiers, and credible military power,” he said.
Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Krishna Swaminathan said the induction of the sixth Project 17A frigate marked another milestone in indigenous warship construction. He noted that the programme had significantly reduced construction and delivery timelines while achieving more than 75% indigenous content.
Named after the Mahendragiri mountain range in the Eastern Ghats, the frigate has been built with contributions from over 200 Indian industries, including several MSMEs. The Navy said the vessel would enhance the Eastern Fleet’s operational capability and reinforce India’s maritime presence in the Indo-Pacific.