Defence Minister Rajnath Singh commissioned the indigenous stealth guided-missile frigate INS Mahendragiri on July 11, 2026 [1].
The addition of the vessel strengthens India's maritime strike capabilities and signals a growing reliance on domestic shipbuilding to secure regional waters.
Singh inspected the ship at the Eastern Naval Base in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh [1], [3]. The vessel is the sixth ship of the Project 17A class [2]. This class of stealth frigates is designed to provide the Indian Navy with enhanced surveillance and strike options in a variety of maritime environments.
"INS Mahendragiri is a state-of-the-art stealth guided-missile frigate that will bolster our blue-water capabilities," Singh said [1].
The minister compared the ship's advanced capabilities to high-end aviation technology during the launch. "Now we have a floating F-35," Singh said [2].
Chief of Naval Staff R. Hari Kumar said that the commissioning of the vessel represents a significant achievement for the nation's industrial base. "The commissioning of INS Mahendragiri marks the sixth vessel of the Project 17A class, a testament to India’s indigenous shipbuilding prowess," Kumar said [2].
The Project 17A program focuses on creating a series of stealth frigates with reduced radar cross-sections and advanced weapon systems. By completing the sixth vessel, India moves closer to its goal of a fully modernized fleet capable of operating far from its own shores, a key component of its blue-water navy strategy.
“"Now we have a floating F-35."”
The commissioning of INS Mahendragiri demonstrates India's transition toward a self-reliant defense industry, reducing dependence on foreign naval acquisitions. By completing the Project 17A series, the Indian Navy increases its ability to project power across the Indian Ocean Region and maintain a deterrent presence against regional adversaries through stealth technology.
