SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
The Indian Ministry of Defence is poised to greenlight Project 17B, a significant expansion of the Indian Navy’s fleet. This ambitious project will see the construction of eight advanced stealth frigates, likely to be divided between Mazagon Dock Limited (MDL) and Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE). With an estimated cost exceeding $7.5 billion, Project 17B represents a major investment in India’s naval capabilities.
Building upon the success of Project 17A, which is currently underway, the new frigates will incorporate the same stealth design and advanced features as the Nilgiri-class frigates. However, Project 17B ships will benefit from further refinements and technological upgrades.
MDL is currently constructing four Project 17A frigates, with the lead ship, ‘Nilgiri’, scheduled for delivery in August 2024. Subsequent ships will follow at a yearly interval, with the fourth and final vessel expected to be delivered by mid-2028.
GRSE is building three Project 17A frigates, with ‘Himgiri’ slated for delivery around August 2025. The shipyard aims to deliver the remaining two ships at a six-month interval thereafter.
The addition of eight new frigates to the Indian Navy will significantly enhance its capability to safeguard the nation’s maritime interests and project power in the Indian Ocean region. The project is also expected to provide a substantial boost to the domestic shipbuilding industry.
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