INS Mahendragiri (F38) Stealth Frigate Commissioned into Indian Navy

INS Mahendragiri (F38) Stealth Frigate Commissioned into Indian Navy

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Why in News

  • The Indian Navy is set to formally commission INS Mahendragiri (F38) at Visakhapatnam.
  • This vessel is the 6th stealth frigate developed under the ambitious Project 17A program.

Overview of INS Mahendragiri

  • INS Mahendragiri is an advanced multi-role stealth frigate belonging to the Nilgiri-class.
  • It acts as a highly automated combat platform capable of simultaneously targeting threats in air, surface, and sub-surface zones.

Development and Construction

  • The Warship Design Bureau (WDB) of the Indian Navy designed the warship completely in-house.
  • Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) constructed the ship in Mumbai using advanced modular building techniques.

Primary Objective

  • The main objective of INS Mahendragiri is to guard India's vast maritime borders and critical sea trade corridors across the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).

Key Technical Features

  • The ship features an optimized hull design and infrared suppression technology to reduce its Radar Cross Section (RCS) and thermal signature.
  • Under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative, over 75% of the components, steel, and electronics were sourced from domestic industries and MSMEs.
  • The frigate uses a Combined Diesel or Gas (CODOG) propulsion system, operating fuel-efficient diesel engines for long cruises and gas turbines for high-speed intercepts.

Lethal Strike Weaponry Suite

  • It carries BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles to target enemy naval ships and land targets.
  • The vessel equips Barak-8 Long-Range Surface-to-Air Missiles (L-SAM) for air defense coverage.
  • It houses indigenous heavy-weight torpedo launchers and anti-submarine rocket launchers for underwater threats.
  • A modern main deck gun provides direct surface target engagement capability.

Integrated Sensors and EW Network

  • An indigenous Combat Management System (CMS) integrates active array radars, electronic warfare suites, and sonar systems.

Project 17A Frigates List

  • The Project 17A series includes 7 frigates: INS Nilgiri (F34), INS Himgiri (F35), INS Udaygiri (F36), INS Dunagiri (F37), INS Mahendragiri (F38), INS Taragiri (F41), and INS Vindhyagiri (F42).