Mumbai: Fourth Stealth Frigate Mahendragiri launched. MDL marks its 250 glorious years of existence with excellence and expertise with the launch of the fourth Stealth Frigate of Project 17A ‘MAHENDRAGIRI’ today i.e. 01 Sept 2023. With the launch of this mighty frigate, MDL continues its triumphant march towards self- reliance turning Aatmanirbhar Bharat into a reality.
The ship was named by Dr (Mrs)SudeshDhankhar, wife of Hon’ble Vice President Shri JagdeepDhankhar who was the chief guest on the occasion. The ceremony was attended by the Hon’ble Governor of Maharashtra, Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Deputy Chief Ministers of Maharashtra, Chief of Naval Staff and Chairman and Managing Director, MDL along with other senior officials from the Ministry of Defence, Indian Navy and employees of MDL.
This ship has been built using Integrated Construction methodology which involves hull blocks with parallel outfitting. The construction has been carried out at different geographical locations and integration/erection on Slipway at MDL. The keel of Mahendragiri was laid on 28 June 2022 and the ship is expected to be delivered by February 2026. The vessel is being launched with an approximate launch weight of 3450 Tons.
Project-17A contributes to the prosperity of the Nation by developing the local ecosystem and supporting workforce/entrepreneurs/MSMEs across the economic spectrum. Approximately 210 MSMEs are engaged in this project and approximately 1000 subcontract workforce is working inside MDL premises for this project. Approximately 13 PSUs are contributing to this project in terms of supply of complex equipment and systems. Over 75% of the orders of Project 17A, have been placed on indigenous firms including MSMEs, keeping in line with Government’s vision of “AatmaNirbhar Bharat”.
The ship is designed by the Indian Navy’s in-house design organization viz. Warship Design Bureau. MDL has undertaken the detailed design & construction of the ship which is also overseen by Warship Overseeing Team (Mumbai). The first ship of the Project 17A, ‘Nilgiri’ was launched on 28th Sept 2019 and is being readied for sea trials in the first half of 2024. The total value of the Project 17A is around Rs. 25,700 Crores. The second ship of P17A class ‘Udaygiri’ was launched on 17 May 2022 and is expected to start sea trials during the second half of 2024. The third ship of P17A class ‘Taragiri’ was launched on 11 September 2022.
The 149.02 M long & 17.8 M wide ship, propelled by a CODOG combination of two Gas Turbines and 02 Main Diesel Engines which are designed to achieve a speed of over 28 knots at a displacement of approx. 6670 Tons. The steel used in Hull construction of P17A Frigates is indigenously developed DMR 249A which is a low carbon micro alloy grade steel manufactured by SAIL. The indigenously designed ‘Mahendragiri’ will have state-of-the-art weapons, sensors, an advanced action information system, an Integrated Platform Management System, world class modular living spaces, sophisticated power distribution system and a host of other advanced features. It will be fitted with supersonic surface-to-surface missile system. The ship’s air defence capability, designed to counter the threat of enemy aircraft and anti-ship cruise missiles will revolve around the vertical launch and long range surface to air missile system. Two30 mm rapid-fire guns will provide the ship with close-in-defence capability while an SRGM Gun will enable her to provide effective naval gunfire support. Indigenously developed triple tube light weight torpedo launchers and rocket launchers will add punch to the ship’s anti-submarine capability.
The launch of Mahendragiri is an exemplary testimony of our nation’s Warship building capability and vindicates the fact that MDL has a very rich heritage and legacy in boosting Nation’s blue water prowess.
