India’s Warship Production Push: Nilgiri-Class Frigate Mahendragiri To Be Delivered To Indian Navy By February 2026, Says Report

India’s indigenisation push in warship production is advancing steadily, with all seven Project 17A Nilgiri-class stealth frigates progressing on schedule, The New Indian Express reported.

Jay Varghese, Additional General Manager at Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders, stated that INS Mahendragiri, the fourth Nilgiri-class frigate being built at MDL, will be delivered by February 2026.

“We have the Mahendragiri ship, which is the fourth and final vessel of the P-17 Alpha class of stealth ships being built at Mazagon Dock," Varghese was quoted as saying by TNIE.

“This class of ships will certainly add significant strength to the Indian Navy, as they are the most modern and come equipped with integrated surface-to-surface, surface-to-air, and underwater capabilities,” Varghese added.

Seven frigates are being built under Project 17A.

Mahendragiri, the fourth and final one from MDL, is set to join the fleet with advanced systems for multi-domain warfare.

The ship is equipped with BrahMos and Barak missiles, torpedoes, rocket launchers, AK-630 guns, and an onboard helicopter to enhance operational reach.

INS Nilgiri, the lead ship, was commissioned in January 2025 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. It was also constructed by MDL.

Of the seven vessels, four are being built by MDL in Mumbai and three by GRSE in Kolkata.

Udaygiri was delivered on 1 July, with others expected by end-2026.

These frigates are 149 metres long, displace 6,670 tonnes, and reach speeds of up to 28 knots. Commissioning usually follows delivery by one or two months.

Around 75 per cent of the ships are indigenously sourced, with imported components including US-made GE gas turbines, Israeli radar systems, and Barak missiles.

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