Vindhyagiri is known to be the sixth of seven ships built under 'Project 17 Alpha' for the Indian Navy. According to the Kolkata-based manufacturer, the P17A ships are guided missile frigates which are capable of neutralising threats in all three dimensions of air, surface and sub-surface.
President Droupadi Murmu on Thursday launched the sixth vessel of the Project 17 Alpha Frigates, Vindhyagiri', a stealth ship of the Indian Navy. West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee were also present on the occasion.
Vindhyagiri is known to be the sixth of seven ships built under 'Project 17 Alpha' for the Indian Navy while the first five ships of the project were launched between 2019 and 2022.
This is also the third and last stealth frigate that the Kolkata-based warship maker, Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Limited (GRSE), was contracted to build for the Navy under the project.
It has been reported that before being handed over to the Indian Navy for commissioning into service, the state-of-the-art ship will be updated with latest gadgets and will also undergo further rounds of extensive trials.
According to a GRSE official, the P17A ships are guided missile frigates, each of which is 149 metres long, with the displacement of approximately 6,670 tonnes and a speed of 28 knots. These are capable of neutralising threats in all three dimensions of air, surface and sub-surface.
Vindhyagiri is named after a mountain range in Karnataka, following the similar age-old tradition that was meticulously followed for the predecessors like INS Nilgiri, Udaygiri, Himgiri, Taragiri, and Dunagiri.
According to the officials associated with the ship building process, 75 per cent of equipment and systems of P17A ships are procured from indigenous firms, including micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
From improved stealth features, advanced weapons and sensors to platform management systems, the revamped version of INS Vindhyagiri houses state-of-the-art technologies and therefore, is expected to pay a befitting tribute to the distinguished service of its predecessor, the erstwhile INS Vindhyagiri.
The stealth ship represents India's intention to embrace its rich naval heritage and the determination to brighten the future of Indian defence repertoire.