Visakhapatnam: The Indian Navy on Friday commissioned INS Mahendragiri, an indigenously built advanced stealth frigate, into its Eastern Fleet in the presence of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, marking another milestone in India’s journey towards self-reliance in defence manufacturing.
Designed by the Indian Navy’s Warship Design Bureau and built by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL), INS Mahendragiri is the sixth Project 17A stealth frigate to join the Navy. The warship has over 75% indigenous content, reflecting the growing capabilities of India’s defence industry.
With a displacement of around 6,670 tonnes and a top speed of 28 knots, the frigate is equipped for fleet air defence, anti-surface warfare, anti-submarine warfare, maritime surveillance, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) operations.
The vessel is armed with BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles, surface-to-air missile systems, anti-submarine weapons, torpedo launchers, an integrated anti-submarine defence system, electronic warfare systems, advanced stealth features and a multi-role helicopter, making it capable of tackling aerial, surface and underwater threats.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, Rajnath Singh described INS Mahendragiri as a symbol of Aatmanirbhar Bharat and India’s determination to build a technologically advanced, combat-ready Navy. He said the warship would strengthen India’s blue-water naval capability, enhance its operational reach in the Indian Ocean Region, and reinforce its role as a net security provider in the Indo-Pacific.
The Defence Minister also stressed that while emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, drones and cyber warfare are reshaping modern conflicts, conventional military strength remains equally important. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to investing in next-generation technologies while continuing to modernise conventional defence capabilities.
⚓ The Indian Navy is set to commission INS Mahendragiri (F38), the sixth Project 17A indigenous stealth frigate, into the Eastern Fleet at Visakhapatnam on 11 July 2026.
🇮🇳 Built with over 75% indigenous content, INS Mahendragiri is a major milestone for India’s Aatmanirbhar… pic.twitter.com/KQXJyWCajr
— Indian Defence Times (@IndianDefenceT) July 10, 2026
Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Krishna Swaminathan said the commissioning of INS Mahendragiri significantly boosts the Navy’s operational strength and showcases India’s growing expertise in indigenous warship construction. He highlighted that the Project 17A programme has substantially reduced shipbuilding timelines through improved design and manufacturing efficiency.
Named after the Mahendragiri mountain range in the Eastern Ghats, the warship carries the motto “Mighty, Majestic, Matchless.” Built with contributions from more than 200 Indian companies, including numerous MSMEs, INS Mahendragiri will now serve with the Eastern Fleet, strengthening India’s maritime security and operational capabilities across the Indian Ocean Region.
