India strengthened its maritime capabilities on Saturday with the commissioning of INS Mahendragiri, the latest indigenous stealth frigate to join the Indian Navy. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh attended the commissioning ceremony at the Visakhapatnam Naval Dockyard, where he highlighted the country’s growing defence manufacturing strength and the importance of self-reliance in naval shipbuilding.
Calling Andhra Pradesh a key contributor to India’s defence sector, Rajnath Singh praised the efforts behind the construction of the warship.
“Andhra emerged as a new powerhouse of India’s defence and aerospace manufacturing.”
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He also congratulated those involved in the project, saying, “I congratulate the crew and the entire staff who worked on INS Mahendragiri. Andhra is the land of pride and bravery.”
INS Mahendragiri joins Indian Navy’s Eastern Fleet
INS Mahendragiri has been inducted into the Indian Navy’s Eastern Fleet as the sixth indigenous stealth frigate developed under Project 17A. It is also the sixth vessel in the Nilgiri-class series and the fourth of the class to be built by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL).
Every warship has a journey.#Mahendragiri’s began with indigenous design and the craftsmanship that shaped her.
— SpokespersonNavy (@indiannavy) July 11, 2026
As the sixth Project 17A Nilgiri-class frigate prepares for commissioning, today #11Jul 26, witness the making of a frontline combatant built for the Navy of… pic.twitter.com/C4lFtCALAY
With more than 75 per cent indigenous content, the warship reflects India’s continued focus on boosting domestic defence production under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative. The induction also marks another milestone for Project 17A, with Mahendragiri becoming the sixth frigate delivered to the Navy within less than 17 months of the first ship in the class, INS Nilgiri, which was delivered on December 20, 2024.
Equipped to respond to multiple threats
Addressing the gathering, Rajnath Singh said the newly commissioned frigate is designed to deal with threats across different battle domains at the same time.
“INS Mahendragiri can be equipped with BrahMos surface-to-surface missile. It can stay anywhere and safeguard our interests,” the Defence Minister said.
He added that the ship is capable of responding simultaneously to threats from the air, the sea and underwater, making it a versatile addition to the Navy’s operational fleet.
Crest reflects the warship’s role
Rajnath Singh also explained the significance of the ship’s crest, which features a Goshawk perched on the Mahendragiri mountain. According to him, the bird symbolises sharp observation, patience and the ability to strike with precision when the moment demands.
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“A warship at sea must remain alert at all times, be able to see far ahead, assess every situation accurately, and take decisive action whenever required. This crest itself represents the capabilities of INS Mahendragiri,” he said.
Navy Chief on Project 17A
Navy Chief Admiral Krishna Swaminathan said INS Mahendragiri is the sixth of the seven warships planned under Project 17A. He noted that the other six ships in the programme were named after the earlier Nilgiri-class vessels that served the Indian Navy between 1972 and 2013.
He added that Mahendragiri takes its name from the historic Mahendragiri Hills located in Odisha’s Eastern Ghats, continuing the Navy’s tradition of linking its warships with places of national significance.
FAQs:
What is INS Mahendragiri and why is it important for the Indian Navy?
INS Mahendragiri is India’s sixth indigenous Project 17A stealth frigate, built to strengthen the Navy’s combat capabilities and maritime security.
What weapons and capabilities does INS Mahendragiri have?
INS Mahendragiri can tackle air, sea and underwater threats and can be equipped with the BrahMos surface-to-surface missile.