President Droupadi Murmu inaugurated the unveiling of INS Vindhyagiri, an advanced stealth frigate, at the GRSE facility situated alongside the River Hooghly in Kolkata. The event took place on Thursday and was attended by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Governor SCV Ananda Bose, Navy Chief Admiral R Hari Kumar, and various other high-ranking officials.
Constructed as part of Project 17A, INS Vindhyagiri is the sixth stealth frigate to be crafted at GRSE. Following the launch, the ship will be positioned alongside its two sibling vessels at the GRSE outfitting jetty. There, it will undergo further preparations and equipment trials before proceeding towards delivery and commissioning.
President Droupadi Murmu graced the launch ceremony of Vindhyagiri – the sixth ship of project 17A of Indian Navy at Kolkata. The President said that the launch of Vindhyagiri marks a move forward in enhancing India’s maritime capabilities. It is also a step towards achieving the… pic.twitter.com/IsEl76MItu
— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) August 17, 2023
The Project 17A Frigates are an advanced iteration succeeding the Project 17 (Shivalik Class) Frigates, known for improved stealth features, advanced weaponry, sensors, and platform management systems. Currently, seven of these frigates are in development at Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) and Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Limited (GRSE).
Officials from the Defence Ministry state that the launch of INS Vindhyagiri will enhance India's defense industry, reduce reliance on foreign suppliers, promote self-sufficiency, and strengthen the domestic defense sector. This vessel, the third and final stealth frigate built by a Kolkata-based shipbuilder for the Navy under this project, will incorporate cutting-edge technologies and undergo extensive trials before joining the Indian Navy.
Over 75 percent of Project 17A orders are being handled by indigenous enterprises, including Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), aligning with the 'AatmaNirbhar Bharat' (self-reliant India) initiative led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
At the launch event, President Droupadi Murmu emphasized INS Vindhyagiri's significance, expressing hope that it will draw strength from its namesake mountains as it navigates the Hooghly River, upholding steadfast determination and cherished values.
