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Project 17A

Nilgiri-Class Stealth Frigates and Indigenisation

Project 17A (P-17A) is a programme to build seven multi-mission stealth guided-missile frigates for the Indian Navy, approved by the Defence Acquisition Council at a cost of approximately Rs 45,000 crore. The frigates are an enhanced variant of the earlier Shivalik-class (Project 17) and are being constructed at two domestic shipyards: MDL (Mumbai) building four ships, and GRSE (Kolkata) building three — Himgiri, Dunagiri, and Vindhyagiri. The ships incorporate stealth features, advanced weapons, and a high degree of indigenous content.

Key details
  • Dimensions: 149 metres long, 6,670-tonne displacement, accommodates 226 personnel
  • Weapons suite: 76mm main gun, two 30mm AK-630M CIWS, BrahMos supersonic cruise missile launchers (8 missiles), 32 Barak-8 surface-to-air missiles, torpedo tubes
  • Sensor suite: MF-STAR multi-function radar (IAI, Israel), integrated combat management system enabling multi-domain operations (air, surface, sub-surface)
  • Stealth features: Reduced radar cross-section hull design, integrated mast, noise-dampened machinery
  • Indigenous content target: Over 75% (one of the highest for a major combatant class in India)
In the news

Tracked since March 30, 2026 · last seen July 13, 2026 · updates as the daily brief publishes

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