Project 17A Stealth Frigate Dunagiri To Be Launched In Kolkata Today

The second Project 17A guided-missile frigate built by warship maker Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) will be launched by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh today (15 July) in Kolkata.

The Nilgiri-class frigate will be fitted with weapons and sensors and undergo extensive trials before being handed over to the Indian Navy.

Himgiri, the first P17A frigate built by GRSE, was launched in December 2020 by Madhulika Rawat, the wife of then Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat.

A total of seven Nilgiri-class frigates are being constructed under Project 17A. While GRSE is building three of these warships, the remaining for our being constructed by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited. Three Project 17A warships have already been launched.

Project 17A ships are 149 metres long and have a displacement of approximately 6,670 tonnes with a speed of 28 knots.

The Rs 19,294-crore contract for the construction of the three stealth frigates under Project 17A is the largest-ever order for GRSE.

The Kolkata-based defence PSU has an order book of around Rs 24,000 crore at present, officials have told the media.

Though GRSE has other production activities like a diesel engine plant in Ranchi and bailey bridge construction, nearly 95 per cent of its revenues are generated from shipbuilding, the official said.

The company at present is working on six projects, comprising the construction of 23 ships, including one passenger ship for Guyana and six patrol vessels for Bangladesh, officials added.

With inputs from PTI