On August 17, 2023, the distinguished President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu will officiate the launch ceremony of the remarkable Vindhyagiri, a vessel of the esteemed Project 17A Frigate series, at the prestigious Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Limited in Kolkata.
Vindhyagiri derives its name from the illustrious mountain range in Karnataka and stands as the sixth embodiment of Project 17A Frigates. These formidable naval vessels, an evolution from the revered Project 17 Class Frigates (Shivalik Class), have been enhanced with advanced stealth capabilities, cutting-edge weaponry, sophisticated sensors, and state-of-the-art platform management systems. The technologically advanced ‘Vindhyagiri’ pays a deserving homage to its predecessor, the renowned INS Vindhyagiri, a Leander Class ASW Frigate.
The former INS Vindhyagiri had admirably served for nearly three decades, from July 8, 1981, to June 11, 2012, participating in numerous challenging operations and multinational exercises. Now, the newly christened Vindhyagiri stands as an emblem of India’s unwavering dedication to preserving its rich naval heritage while propelling itself toward a future defined by indigenous defense capabilities.
The Project 17A initiative has brought forth an impressive assembly of naval prowess, with four ships being constructed by M/s MDL and an additional three by M/s GRSE. The first five ships under this project were launched by MDL & GRSE between 2019 and 2022, a testament to the rapid progress achieved.
The ingenuity behind the Project 17A ships emanates from the Indian Navy’s own Warship Design Bureau, a pioneering entity responsible for all warship design endeavors. In alignment with the nation’s resolute commitment to ‘AatmaNirbharta’ (self-reliance), an impressive 75% of the equipment and systems for the Project 17A ships are sourced from indigenous enterprises, including those falling under the Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) category. The launch of Vindhyagiri serves as a poignant testament to the remarkable strides our nation has taken in nurturing a self-sufficient naval force.
