Visakhapatnam: The Indian Navy officially inducted its sixth Project 17A indigenous stealth frigate, INS Mahendragiri (F38), during a commissioning ceremony held in Visakhapatnam on Saturday, 11 July 2026. The ceremony was presided over by the Union Defence Minister, Shri Rajnath Singh, marking a significant advancement in the nation’s maritime self-reliance.

Named after the majestic mountain peak in the Eastern Ghats, the vessel is the first Indian naval warship to bear this title. The ship is designed to be a "Mission Primed" combat platform, reflecting the success of the government’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative.

Advanced Indigenous Engineering

INS Mahendragiri was designed in-house by the Indian Navy’s Warship Design Bureau and constructed by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL), Mumbai. The frigate features over 75 per cent indigenous content, highlighting the growing capability of the domestic shipbuilding ecosystem. Its construction involved a vast network of Indian industries, including numerous Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), which the Ministry of Defence noted has been instrumental in strengthening the nation’s defence industrial base and generating employment.

Operational Capabilities

The warship is engineered for the full spectrum of maritime warfare. The vessel is equipped with a sophisticated suite of weapons and sensors, including:

  • Armament: Eight BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles for long-range precision strikes and a 32-cell vertical launch system for Barak-8 medium-range surface-to-air missiles.
  • Warfare Systems: Advanced anti-submarine warfare systems, torpedoes, and rocket launchers.
  • Stealth Features: An optimised hull and superstructure design to significantly reduce radar signatures, alongside a high degree of automation to reduce crew workload.

The vessel is powered by a Combined Diesel or Gas (CODOG) propulsion system, allowing for high-speed operations and sustained endurance across the Indian Ocean Region. Beyond its primary combat role, the ship is capable of conducting maritime security operations, search and rescue missions, and providing humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR).

A Strategic Addition

The induction of INS Mahendragiri further bolsters the Indian Navy’s Eastern Fleet. With the motto "Mighty–Majestic–Matchless," the frigate is set to serve as a formidable force multiplier. Defence officials have emphasised that the ship’s entry into service highlights India’s growing status as a leading nation in indigenous warship construction and its steadfast commitment to maintaining a secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific.