SOURCE: AFI
Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL), one of India’s premier defense shipyards, has commenced preparatory work for the commissioning of two major warships: Surat, the final vessel of the P15B destroyer class, and Nilgiri, the first vessel of the P17A frigate class. Both ships are scheduled to be commissioned by November or December 2024, marking significant milestones in India’s indigenous warship building program.
Surat is the fourth and final destroyer under the Project 15B (P15B) class, a follow-up to the earlier Kolkata-class destroyers. Known for their stealth features and enhanced combat capabilities, P15B destroyers are among the most advanced surface combatants built by MDL. Surat represents the culmination of a project that began in 2011, aimed at building state-of-the-art destroyers equipped with modern weaponry and sensor systems, optimized for multi-role missions in both open seas and littoral waters.
The ship, like its sister vessels Visakhapatnam, Mormugao, and Imphal, will be equipped with a mix of indigenous and foreign weapon systems, including the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile, Barak-8 long-range surface-to-air missile systems, and advanced electronic warfare systems. Surat’s induction will further enhance the Indian Navy’s ability to project power in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) and beyond.
Nilgiri, the first of seven frigates being built under the P17A project, will also be a major addition to the Indian Navy. Based on the earlier P17 Shivalik-class frigates, the P17A class represents a significant upgrade in terms of stealth, automation, and modularity. The ships are designed for multi-role operations, capable of anti-air, anti-surface, and anti-submarine warfare, making them versatile assets for naval operations.
The Nilgiri will feature a range of advanced systems, including BrahMos missiles, long-range surface-to-air missiles (LRSAM), and torpedo launchers. Its stealth design, including a reduced radar cross-section and infrared signature, will allow the ship to operate undetected in high-threat environments.
The P17A class also benefits from modular construction techniques that reduce build times and costs, a first for Indian shipbuilding. MDL and Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) are jointly responsible for building these vessels, and MDL’s delivery of Nilgiri will mark the beginning of a new era in frigate construction for India.
MDL has set its sights on completing the commissioning of both Surat and Nilgiri by late 2024. The shipyard is simultaneously preparing to deliver the second P17A vessel, expected in early 2025. The progress on the P17A program is a testament to India’s growing capabilities in building complex warships domestically and reducing dependency on foreign suppliers.