**Executive Summary**
On 30 April 2026, Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDSL) delivered the 'Mahendragiri,' the sixth Project 17A stealth frigate, to the Indian Navy. This delivery marks a milestone in the "Aatmanirbharta" initiative, with the ship completed within 17 months of the lead ship's delivery. The project underscores India's self-reliance in warship design and construction, featuring 75% indigenous content.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Vessel Delivery and Design**
* **Identification:** ‘Mahendragiri’ (Yard 12654) is the sixth Nilgiri-class (Project 17A) ship and the fourth of its class built by MDSL in Mumbai.
* **Design Authority:** Designed by the Warship Design Bureau (WDB) and overseen by the Warship Overseeing Team (Mumbai).
* **Construction Method:** Built using the "Integrated Construction" philosophy to ensure delivery within envisaged timelines.
* **Strategic Leap:** Represents a generational leap in stealth, survivability, and combat capability compared to the preceding P17 Shivalik-class.
**Technical Specifications**
* **Propulsion:** Configured with Combined Diesel or Gas (CODOG) propulsion plants, utilizing a diesel engine and a gas turbine.
* **Operational Systems:** Features an Integrated Platform Management System (IPMS) and Controllable Pitch Propellers (CPP) on each shaft.
* **Weaponry:** Equipped with a potent suite for anti-surface, anti-air, and anti-submarine warfare.
**Socio-Economic and Industrial Impact**
* **Indigenization:** The project boasts 75% indigenous content, reflecting a focus on national self-reliance.
* **Supply Chain:** Involved over 200 MSMEs in the construction process at MDSL.
* **Employment:** Generated direct employment for approximately 4,000 personnel and indirect employment for over 10,000 individuals.
**Impact Analysis**
**Indian Navy**
**Impact**
The Navy acquires a state-of-the-art, multi-mission platform capable of addressing emerging maritime challenges with advanced stealth and firepower.
**Action Required**
Commission the vessel and integrate it into active maritime operations for anti-surface, anti-air, and anti-submarine warfare.
**Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDSL)**
**Impact**
The shipyard demonstrates its engineering prowess and ability to deliver complex warships within tight timelines (six ships within 17 months of the lead vessel).
**Action Required**
Continue maintaining the Integrated Construction standards for subsequent naval projects and support for the delivered fleet.
**MSMEs and National Workforce**
**Impact**
Over 200 MSMEs and 14,000 workers (direct and indirect) benefited from sustained economic activity and employment generation through this project.
**Action Required**
Maintain the industrial capacity and technical standards required to support the 75% indigenous content requirement for future warship projects.
Key Entities Referenced
Project 17A: An indigenous program for constructing advanced stealth frigates, under which the 'Mahendragiri' was developed to enhance naval maritime capabilities.
Mahendragiri: The sixth advanced stealth frigate of the Nilgiri-class (Project 17A) delivered to the Indian Navy, marking a milestone in self-reliant warship construction.
Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDSL): The primary defense shipyard in Mumbai responsible for the construction and delivery of the Mahendragiri and other P17A ships.
Warship Design Bureau (WDB): The specialized organization responsible for the indigenous design, stealth, and combat capability features of the Project 17A frigates.
Indian Navy: The primary defense branch and recipient of the advanced stealth frigates, focusing on maritime security and indigenous shipbuilding.
Ministry of Defence
DELIVERY OF PROJECT 17A INDIGENOUS
ADVANCED STEALTH FRIGATE
‘MAHENDRAGIRI’
Sixth Project 17A ship to be delived within 17 months of the
lead ship
Posted On: 01 MAY 2026 2:34PM by PIB Delhi
Mahendragiri (Yard 12654), the sixth ship of Nilgiri-class (Project 17A) and fourth ship of the class built
at Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDSL), was delivered to the Indian Navy on 30 Apr 2026 at
MDSL, Mumbai. The delivery marks a significant milestone in achieving self-reliance in warship design
and construction.
Project 17A frigates are versatile multi-mission platforms designed to address current and emerging
challenges in the maritime domain. This state-of-the-art frigate reflects a quantum leap in naval design,
stealth, firepower, automation, and survivability, and stands as an admirable symbol of Aatmanirbharta in
warship building
Designed by the Warship Design Bureau (WDB) and overseen by the Warship Overseeing Team
(Mumbai), P17A frigates reflect a generational leap in indigenous ship design, stealth, survivability, and
combat capability. Driven by the philosophy of Integrated Construction, the ship was built and delivered
within envisaged timelines.
P17A ships are fitted with an advanced weapon and sensor suite as compared to the P17 (Shivalik-class).
These ships are configured with Combined Diesel or Gas (CODOG) propulsion plants, comprising a
diesel engine and a gas turbine that drive a Controllable Pitch Propeller (CPP) on each shaft, and a state-
of-the-art Integrated Platform Management System (IPMS). The potent weapon and sensor suite
comprises anti-surface, anti-air, and anti-submarine warfare systems.
Mahendragiri is the sixth P17A ship to be delivered to Indian Navy in the span of less than 17
months from the delivery of the first P17A (Nilgiri) by M/s MDSL on 20 Dec 2024. Delivery
of Mahendragiri showcases the design, shipbuilding, and engineering prowess of the nation, and reflects
Navy’s unrelenting focus on Aatmanirbharta in both ship design and shipbuilding. With an indigenous
content of 75%, the project has involved over 200 MSMEs at MDSL and has enabled employment
generation of approximately 4,000 personnel directly and more than 10,000 personnel indirectly.**********
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