INS Mahendragiri (F38), the sixth Project 17A indigenous stealth frigate, heading towards Visakhapatnam coast for its official inauguration at the Naval Dockyard in Visakhapatnam’s Eastern Naval Command. The warship is being commissioned on Saturday (July 11, 2026). Photo: Special Arrangment (Navy)
The Indian Navy is set to add a formidable new asset to its arsenal with the commissioning of INS Mahendragiri (F38), the sixth Project 17A indigenous stealth frigate, at the Naval Dockyard in Visakhapatnam on Saturday (July 11, 2026).
Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated, “Today, India is emerging as one of the world’s major maritime powers.”
The commissioning ceremony on Saturday (July 11, 2026) is being presided over by Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, who arrived in the city on Friday (July 10, 2026) — coinciding with his 75th birthday—for a two-day visit.
Ahead of the formal induction, Mr. Singh addressed naval personnel at a Barakhana on Friday (July 10, 2026) night at the Eastern Naval Command, commending their unwavering vigilance in safeguarding the nation’s maritime interests.
‘Vanguard of self-reliance’
Named after the majestic mountain range in the Eastern Ghats, INS Mahendragiri is the first Indian Naval warship to bear the name. “Designed in-house by the Indian Navy’s Warship Design Bureau and constructed by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL), Mumbai, the frigate is a glowing testament to the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative, featuring over 75% indigenous content,” a press release said. “This indigenously designed and constructed state-of-the-art warship showcases the incredible capabilities of our domestic defence industries and MSMEs, integrating a vast network of Indian industries to strengthen the nation’s defence industrial base,” it added.
INS Mahendragiri is built for the future, blending advanced stealth features, reduced radar signatures, and a high degree of automation. Powered by a modern Combined Diesel or Gas (CODOG) propulsion system, the frigate is a mission-primed platform capable of high-speed operations and exceptional endurance. The vessel is equipped with an advanced suite of state-of-the-art weapons and sensors, including surface-to-surface and surface-to-air missile systems, sophisticated electronic warfare capabilities, and comprehensive anti-submarine warfare systems. An integrated Combat Management System further enables the frigate to operate across all domains, from anti-air and anti-surface warfare to power projection and humanitarian assistance missions.
‘Guarding the extended courtyard’
During his address, Mr. Singh reaffirmed India’s position as the largest and most responsible stakeholder in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
“The region is our courtyard, and securing the courtyard is our responsibility,” he remarked, emphasising that maritime security is intrinsically linked to India’s economic health.
With over 90% of India’s trade by volume transiting through maritime routes, safeguarding energy security, the Exclusive Economic Zone, and island territories has become paramount amid intensifying geopolitical competition.
The Defence Minister also cautioned that the nature of warfare is evolving rapidly, with future conflicts potentially emerging in unforeseen forms. He urged personnel to remain mentally and physically prepared, emphasising that while the government ensures the provision of world-class technology, it is the people who wield these machines that ultimately determine the outcome of battles.
Published – July 11, 2026 10:11 am IST
