Defence Minister Rajnath Singh today commissioned the indigenous stealth frigate INS Mahendragiri into the Indian Navy at Visakhapatnam, declaring it a milestone in India’s journey towards building a strong, self-reliant and future-ready defence force.
INS Mahendragiri is the sixth and final vessel of the Project 17A Nilgiri-class stealth frigates, designed by the Indian Navy’s Warship Design Bureau and constructed by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL), Mumbai. With over 75% indigenous content, the warship reflects India’s growing defence manufacturing capabilities under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
The frigate displaces around 6,670 tonnes, can achieve speeds up to 28 knots, and is equipped with advanced weapons including BrahMos missiles, long-range surface-to-air missiles, torpedo launchers, rocket launchers, and electronic warfare systems. It is capable of anti-air, anti-surface, and anti-submarine warfare, as well as humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, Singh emphasized that modern warfare is rapidly evolving with drones and cyber threats, and India is preparing to meet these challenges with advanced innovations. He noted that India, once dependent on foreign nations for warships, now builds them indigenously, showcasing confidence and capability.
INS Mahendragiri, named after the Mahendragiri mountain range in the Eastern Ghats, will play a crucial role in safeguarding India’s maritime interests from the coastline to the deep oceans, strengthening Indo-Pacific security and enhancing India’s blue-water naval capabilities.
The commissioning of INS Mahendragiri follows the induction of INS Nilgiri, Udaygiri, Himgiri, Taragiri, and Dunagiri since 2025, marking India’s accelerated naval industrial growth and transformation into a self-reliant maritime power.
