MAHENDRAGIRI (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – SCI & TECH)

Context: Text of the Vice-President’s address at the launch of the warship Mahendragiri in Mumbai.

• The launch of Mahendragiri is a significant milestone in our maritime history. It is the last of the seven warships of the Nilgiri-class stealth frigates built under Project 17A.

Mahendragiri

• It is the seventh vessel of the Project 17A frigates, and taking its name from a prominent peak in the Eastern Ghats in Odisha.
• The Indian Navy initiated Project 17 Alpha frigates (P-17A) in 2019.
• The inaugural ship in the P17A series is named after a historic frigate of the Navy, INS Nilgiri, which derived its name from the Nilgiri Hills.
• The remaining six ships in Project 17A are christened 'Nilgiri,' 'Himgiri,' 'Udaygiri,' 'Dunagiri,' 'Taragiri,' and 'Vindhyagiri.'

What is Project 17A?

• Launched by: Indian Navy in 2019
• Objective: To build a fleet of stealthy guided missile frigates. These frigates are currently in production by two companies: Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders (MDL) and Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE).
• These guided missile frigates have been designed with a particular emphasis on stealth. 

oTheir construction incorporates radar-absorbent coatings, rendering them difficult to detect, and making it possible for them to approach enemies unnoticed.