The sixth vessel in the Project 17A Frigate series, named Stealth Frigate Vindhyagiri, has been officially introduced. Preceding this, five other ships – INS Nilgiri, Udaygiri, Himgiri, Taragiri, and Dunagiri – were launched sequentially from 2019 to 2022. According to officials, the nomenclature of the ship draws inspiration from the ‘Vindhya’ mountain ranges situated in Karnataka.
President Droupadi Murmu inaugurated the advanced stealth frigate ‘Vindhyagiri’ for the Indian Navy on Thursday in Kolkata, affirming its significance in propelling India towards self-reliance in shipbuilding as part of the ‘atmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative.
The vessel was constructed at the Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Ltd (GRSE) facility in Kolkata. The event saw the presence of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Governor CV Ananda Bose, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral R Hari Kumar, former BCCI president Sourav Ganguly, Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Goyal, and other notable figures.
The ‘Vindhyagiri’ stealth frigate constitutes the sixth vessel rollout under the Project 17A Frigate program. The preceding five ships – INS Nilgiri, Udaygiri, Himgiri, Taragiri, and Dunagiri – were launched within the time span of 2019 to 2022. Notably, the nomenclature of the ship draws inspiration from the ‘Vindhya’ mountain ranges in Karnataka.
Official sources highlight that the P17A ships are classified as guided missile frigates, boasting dimensions of 149 meters in length, approximately 6,670 tonnes in displacement, and a top speed of 28 knots. These vessels demonstrate the capability to counter threats in the air, on the surface, and underwater.
President Murmu, during her address, emphasized the event’s significance in elevating India’s maritime capabilities. She regarded the ‘Vindhyagiri’ frigate as a pivotal step towards realizing the ‘atmanirbhar Bharat’ vision through indigenous shipbuilding.
She extended commendations to the Indian Navy and acknowledged the achievements of the GRSE team for their dedicated efforts in constructing over 100 warships, including the notable ‘Vindhyagiri’.
Furthermore, Murmu hailed the Project 17A as a testament to indigenous innovation, incorporating cutting-edge technology. She emphasized the multi-mission frigates’ potential to effectively address diverse threats to India’s maritime interests.
President Murmu noted the special place Kolkata holds in India’s cultural and historical landscape. She underscored the city’s intellectual vibrancy, artistic fervor, and cosmopolitan essence. The President also recognized Kolkata’s strategic importance for naval preparedness, safeguarding maritime interests, and maintaining regional stability.
Looking ahead, President Murmu underlined that once commissioned, the warship would symbolize the resilience of the Vindhyas.
In subsequent statements, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral R Hari Kumar articulated the Indian Navy’s aspiration for self-reliance by 2047. Expressing pride, he hailed the launch of ‘Vindhyagiri’ as a momentous achievement, highlighting its enhanced capabilities compared to its predecessor. Admiral Kumar noted the ongoing construction of various ships across Indian shipyards as part of this trajectory towards self-sufficiency.