INS Mahendragiri Sixth Project 17A Stealth Frigate (UPSC-RAS) Current Affairs {Defence Technology}

Sixth ship of Project 17A (Nilgiri-class) -a class of guided-missile stealth frigates.
Named after the Mahendragiri mountain range in the Eastern Ghats - first Indian naval vessel to carry this name.
Designed in-house by the Navy's own Warship Design Bureau (WDB).
Built by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL).

Core concept –“Project 17A" - it's an upgrade of the earlier Project 17 (Shivalik-class) frigates, with better stealth, more advanced weapons/sensors, and greater automation. Seven ships are being built under this project in total four at Mazagon Dock (Mumbai) and three at Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers, GRSE (Kolkata). Ships already commissioned before Mahendragiri- INS Nilgiri, INS Udaygiri and INS Himgiri , and INS Dunagiri.

Length- 149 metres; displacement- - 6,670 tonnes; top speed- -28 knots.
Propulsion- CODOG (Combined Diesel or Gas) system lets it run at high speed when needed while keeping good fuel endurance for long missions.
Over 75% indigenous content a direct example of Aatmanirbhar Bharat in defence manufacturing.
Construction involved a wide network of Indian industries, including many MSMEs so it's also a good example of the "multiplier effect" of defence indigenisation on domestic industry and employment.

BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles (long-range strike).
Barak-8 surface-to-air missiles (air defence).
Advanced electronic warfare suite, anti-submarine warfare systems, integrated Combat Management System.
Built for the full spectrum- anti-air, anti-surface, and anti-submarine warfare, plus maritime security, power projection, HADR (Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief), search and rescue, and sustained presence missions.
Stealth features (reduced radar signature) and high automation improve survivability and reduce crew requirement.

Continues India's push toward defence indigenisation and self-reliance in warship design/construction.
Positions India to strengthen its role as the "Preferred Security Partner" in the Indian Ocean Region, and supports a stable, secure Indo-Pacific.
Fits into Navy's broader modernisation target reported goal of a 200-ship force by 2035, with all new ships to be Made in India.
Useful example for questions on- India's naval modernisation, Aatmanirbhar Bharat in defence, Indo-Pacific maritime strategy, or role of PSU/private shipyards (MDL, GRSE) in strategic manufacturing.