INS Mahendragiri is the sixth advanced stealth guided-missile frigate built for the Indian Navy under its modernization drive. It is a high-tech warship named after a famous mountain peak located in the Eastern Ghats of Odisha, India. The warship was officially designed by the Indian Navy’s in-house organization called the Warship Design Bureau (WDB). It represents a major stepping stone toward Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliance) in designing and manufacturing powerful naval warships. The ship belongs to the specialized Nilgiri-class series of vessels aimed at upgrading India’s overall maritime defence.

FEATURES OF INS MAHENDRAGIRI

• It features advanced stealth technology with a low radar cross-section (RCS), making it difficult for enemy radars to detect.
• The ship uses radar-absorbing coatings and flush-mounted weapons to reduce detection by enemy sensors.
• It has a unique exhaust system that minimizes heat emission (infrared signature), reducing the risk of infrared tracking.
• The vessel is built with nearly 75% indigenous content, using materials and equipment sourced from Indian industries.
• For heavy attack capabilities, the warship is armed with BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles for anti-ship and land-attack missions.
• It is equipped with the advanced MF-STAR radar to track multiple aerial targets over long distances simultaneously.
• For air defence, it carries the MRSAM (Medium-Range Surface-to-Air Missile) system.
• The ship uses a CODOG (Combined Diesel or Gas) propulsion system, providing flexible speed and efficient power.
• It is a multi-role warship capable of tackling threats on the sea surface, in the air, and underwater.
• The vessel strengthens India’s blue-water navy capability, enabling long-duration deployments far from Indian shores.

ABOUT PROJECT 17A FRIGATES

• Project 17A (Nilgiri-class) is a programme to build seven advanced stealth guided-missile frigates for the Indian Navy.
• It is the successor to the Shivalik-class stealth frigates with significant technological upgrades.
• Construction is shared between Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) and Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE).
• MDL is building four frigates (including INS Mahendragiri), while GRSE is constructing the remaining three.
• These frigates enhance India’s maritime power projection, protect Sea Lines of Communication (SLOCs), and secure global maritime trade routes.