India Commissions Three New Vessels in One Day
India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the commissioning of INS Nilgiri, the lead ship of a new class of frigate at the Naval Dockyard in Mumbai today. At the same time two other significant vessels were also commissioned; INS Vaghsheer, a diesel-powered attack submarine, and INS Surat, India’s first AI integrated destroyer. The Prime Minister highlighted the significance of this nothing that “it is for the first time that the tri-commissioning of a destroyer, frigate, and submarine was being done”. The commissioning of three vessels at once can be seen as a projection of India’s increasing naval confidence, with Defense Minister Rajnath Singh noting that “India is giving the biggest importance to making its navy powerful to protect its interests,” in the Indian Ocean.
The Nilgiri is the first ship of the Project-17 Alpha – the Nilgiri-class. It has been designed by the Indian Navy’s Warship Design Bureau and incorporates advanced features including enhanced survivability, seakeeping, and stealth, reflecting the next generation of India’s indigenous frigates.
Nilgiri’s keel was laid on 28 December 2017and the vessel was launched two years later on 28 September 2019, at Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) in Mumbai. This milestone was followed by the ship’s maiden sea trials, which commenced in August 2024, and a comprehensive schedule of harbor and sea trials to validate its performance and systems were completed. Nilgiri was delivered to the Indian Navy on 20 December 2024. The remaining six ships of the class are at various stages of construction at and are expected to be delivered to the Indian Navy in 2025 and 2026.
Nilgiri (Yard 12651), the first Project 17A stealth frigate is a follow-on of the Shivalik class (Project 17) frigates currently in service. Nilgiri is first among the seven P17A frigates under construction at Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL), Mumbai, and Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata. INS Nilgiri is 149 meters long and has a displacement of 6,670 tonnes. The ships are powered by two Combined Diesel or Gas (CODOG) main propulsion plants, each comprising a Diesel Engine and Gas Turbine, driving a Controllable Pitch Propeller (CPP) that delivers a speed of over 28 knots.
It has advanced stealth technology to reduce radar and infrared signatures. It is equipped with BrahMos cruise missiles, Barak-8 surface-to-air missiles, 76mm naval guns, torpedo launchers, and anti-submarine warfare systems, the ship also supports helicopter operations. The frigate is also fitted with indigenously developed anti-submarine weapons and sensors. The new multi-mission frigate is a formidable platform for multi-role naval operations which can operate in a ‘blue water’ environment dealing with both conventional and non-conventional threats in India’s Maritime Interests.