INS Mahendragiri, which is going to be commissioned on July 11, is not just a stealth frigate but a new strength of the Indian Navy. Know why this warship of Project 17A can change maritime strategy.
Visakhapatnam: A news has come to light regarding India’s growing power in the Indian Ocean and the security of its maritime borders, which has created a stir in the naval camps of enemy countries. The Indian Navy is going to formally commission its most modern and lethal warship, INS Mahendragiri, off the strategic coast of Visakhapatnam on July 11. This warship with pennant number F38 is not an ordinary ship, rather it is such an ‘invisible hunter’ that attacks secretly amidst the waves of the sea, finding clues of which will become an inexplicable puzzle even for modern radar systems.
After all, what is INS Mahendragiri, which is being discussed so much?
INS Mahendragiri is the sixth Project 17A stealth frigate of the Indian Navy. It is designed by the Warship Design Bureau of India and built by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL). Its pennant number is F38. It is the first Indian warship to be named after the famous Mahendragiri mountain range of the Eastern Ghats. This step gives new recognition to the indigenous warship building capability of the Indian Navy.
Fear of the hills of Eastern Ghats: This unique name was found for the first time in history
The naming of this warship in the history of the Navy has a unique and interesting story in itself. It is the first frontline warship of the Indian Navy, named after the picturesque ‘Mahendragiri mountain range’ of the Eastern Ghats spanning the borders of Odisha and Andhra Pradesh. A milestone in indigenous technology: Conceived and designed entirely in India by the Navy’s Warship Design Bureau (WDB), this warship has been built by the renowned Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) of Mumbai. The inclusion of INS Mahendragiri in the Naval Fleet is a strong proof that India has now stood at the forefront of the few countries in the world in terms of warship construction.
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Project 17A’s ‘super-weapon’: What is the secret technology of Nilgiri class to evade radar?
INS Mahendragiri is the sixth indigenous stealth frigate out of the seven distinctive ships to be built under the Indian Navy’s ambitious ‘Project 17A’ (Nilgiri Class). This class has been developed as an advanced and upgraded version of the Shivalik-class frigates already present in the Navy. But its biggest suspense lies in its special structure. Such secret changes have been made in the design of this frigate that make it the most dangerous weapon at sea:
- Low-radar cross-section (RCS): Its external structure has been given an angular shape in such a way that the waves emanating from the enemy radar do not bounce back after colliding with it, making it almost impossible to detect on the radar screen.
- Low Infrared Signature: This technology suppresses the heat signature (Heat Signature) emanating from the ship to such an extent that the enemy’s heat-seeking missiles and sensors completely fail to track it.
Important part of ‘Vikrant’s Chakravyuh: Journey from independent mission to carrier battle group
INS Mahendragiri is a multi-mission guided-missile frigate, which means it is capable of single-handedly dealing with threats from all three dimensions—air, surface and underwater. But the real strategy of the Navy is something else. According to the strategic plan, this stealth frigate will be deployed in the Indian Navy’s Eastern Fleet and in the future, in the ‘Carrier Battle Group’ (CBG) led by India’s first indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant. By becoming a part of this megagroup, INS Mahendragiri will provide an impenetrable protective shield to the aircraft carrier. Even in a complex maritime environment with threat from missile attacks and submarines, this warship has the capability to destroy enemy targets without revealing its presence.
India’s new siege at sea: Why are the adversaries trembling?
Construction of a total of seven frigates under Project 17A was divided between MDL of Mumbai and GRSE of Kolkata, and all ships of the program have now been launched. This commissioning ceremony to be held in Visakhapatnam on July 11 is not just a formality, but a strong and clear message from India to the countries trying to show their dominance in the Indian Ocean and Indo-Pacific region. After the arrival of this new Alexander of the Sea, the fire and security capability of the Indian Navy is going to be many times stronger than before.
New armor of India’s maritime power will be created with INS Vikrant
The Indian Navy plans to make these frigates of Project 17A part of the Eastern Fleet and in the future the Carrier Battle Group led by INS Vikrant. In such groups, frigate warships play an important role in protecting aircraft carriers, maritime surveillance and keeping away potential threats. This will further strengthen India’s strategic presence in the Indian Ocean region.