The Indian Navy is set to commission INS Mahendragiri, the sixth indigenous stealth frigate under Project 17A, into its Eastern Fleet at Visakhapatnam on July 11, 2026. The commissioning ceremony will be presided over by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and marks another milestone in India’s pursuit of defence self-reliance and indigenous warship construction.

New addition to the Project 17A fleet

INS Mahendragiri is the sixth ship of the Nilgiri-class frigates being built under Project 17A and the fourth of the class to be constructed by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL). The warship represents a significant achievement in India’s efforts to develop indigenous capabilities in warship design and construction. Mahendragiri is the sixth Project 17A frigate to be delivered to the Indian Navy within less than 17 months of the delivery of the first vessel of the class, INS Nilgiri, on December 20, 2024.

Project 17A frigates are versatile, multi-mission platforms developed to meet both current and emerging maritime challenges. The class incorporates advances in naval design, stealth technology, firepower, automation and survivability, and is regarded as a key example of the country’s push for self-reliance in defence manufacturing.

Designed by the Warship Design Bureau and overseen by the Warship Overseeing Team, Mumbai, the Project 17A frigates represent a major advancement in indigenous shipbuilding. Developed using the integrated construction approach, Mahendragiri was completed and delivered within the stipulated timeline.

Why the name ‘Mahendragiri’

The frigate takes its name from the Mahendragiri mountain range in the Eastern Ghats, symbolising strength, resilience and determination, according to a press release. It is the first Indian naval warship to bear the name. The vessel reflects the growing capabilities of India’s shipbuilding industry and adds another chapter to the country’s maritime legacy. The ship is fully prepared to join the fleet as a mission-ready combat platform.

Advanced defence capabilities

Mahendragiri incorporates advanced stealth features, enhanced survivability, reduced radar signature and a high degree of automation. It is powered by a Combined Diesel or Gas (CODOG) propulsion system, enabling high-speed operations and long endurance across a wide range of maritime missions. With more than 75% indigenous content, the ship’s construction involved a broad network of Indian industries, including numerous micro, small and medium enterprises, generating employment and strengthening the domestic defence industrial base.

The frigate is equipped with a range of advanced indigenous and modern weapon and sensor systems, including surface-to-surface and surface-to-air missiles, electronic warfare systems, anti-submarine warfare capabilities and an integrated Combat Management System. It can undertake anti-air, anti-surface and anti-submarine operations and is also capable of maritime security missions, power projection, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations, search and rescue missions, and sustained deployments at sea.

‘Mighty, Majestic, Matchless’

The commissioning of Mahendragiri further enhances the Indian Navy’s operational capability and highlights India’s growing stature as a leading indigenous warship-building nation. As the country continues to expand its role as a preferred security partner in the Indian Ocean Region, the frigate is expected to serve as a force multiplier, safeguarding India’s maritime interests and contributing to security and stability in the Indo-Pacific.

As the Indian Navy strengthens its maritime capabilities through indigenous platforms, INS Mahendragiri, guided by its motto, “Mighty, Majestic, Matchless”, is poised to serve the nation with distinction and add another chapter to the Navy’s history.

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.