There is going to be another big increase in the strength of the Indian Navy on Saturday. The state-of-the-art stealth frigate INS Mahendragiri (F38), built in India, is all set to join the Navy tomorrow in Visakhapatnam. On this special occasion, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh will be present as the chief guest.
Named after the beautiful hills of the Eastern Ghats ‘INS Mahendragiri’ It has been designed by the ‘Warship Design Bureau’ of the Indian Navy and built by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL), Mumbai. Under the Self-reliant India campaign, more than 75% indigenous materials and technology have been used in making this warship.
The biggest feature of this frigate is its stealth technology, due to which enemy radar, thermal or infrared sensors will not be able to detect it easily. That means it is expert in attacking the enemy by hiding in the sea.
Is equipped with missiles and deadly weapons
This sixth indigenous warship built under Project 17A has the power to handle all three types of operations simultaneously – air, surface and under sea (anti-submarine). The ship is equipped with state-of-the-art weapons, which include:
- BrahMos: Surface-to-surface missile.
- Air defense system (Barak-8) that destroys the enemy in the air.
- Modern sensors, radar and combat management systems.
- Anti-submarine weapons that detect submarines.
Why is this commissioning special?
The induction of INS Mahendragiri is another important milestone in the Project 17A programme. As more frigates of this class are commissioned into the Indian Navy, they are expected to further enhance the operational capabilities of the Indian Navy, as well as strengthen India’s position as a leading indigenous warship-building country.
Indian Navy has said that amidst the increasing strategic threats in the Indian Ocean and Indo-Pacific region, INS Mahendragiri will prove to be a ‘force multiplier’ for the Indian Navy. It will not only protect the maritime borders but will also play a big role in relief and rescue operations during disasters.
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