Source: NIE
Context: The Indian Navy has received INS Udaygiri, the second stealth frigate under Project 17A, built by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd (MDL), delivered in a record time of 37 months.
About Project 17A:
- What is Project 17A?
- A series of seven indigenous stealth frigates, developed as a follow-up to the Shivalik-class (Project 17) frigates.
- Launched under: Initiated in 2015, with construction undertaken by MDL, Mumbai and GRSE, Kolkata.
- Objective: To strengthen India’s blue water naval capabilities, with stealth features, indigenous content, and reduced construction timelines using Integrated Construction techniques.
About INS Udaygiri:
- Built by: Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd. (MDL)
- Legacy: Named after the decommissioned INS Udaygiri (retired in 2007 after 31 years of service)
- The first frigate under Project 17A is INS Nilgiri. This is second frigate of the Project 17A series.
- Key Features:
- Advanced stealth design with sleek radar-minimizing profile
- Equipped with:
- Supersonic surface-to-surface missiles
- Medium-range surface-to-air missiles
- 76 mm main gun
- Close-in weapon systems (30 mm & 12.7 mm)
- Combined Diesel or Gas (CODOG) propulsion system with Controllable Pitch Propeller.
- Integrated Platform Management System (IPMS) for automated operations.
- Enhanced hull size – 4.54% larger than previous Project 17 ships.
- Constructed using modular block construction and pre-outfitting.
