Visakhapatnam:Marking a major milestone in the maritime security of the country, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh formally commissioned the advanced stealth frigate INS Mahendragiri into the Indian Navy on Saturday. The grand ceremony was held at the Naval Dockyard in Visakhapatnam and attended by top military officials and dignitaries.
The new warship is the sixth indigenous vessel constructed under Project 17A. It will be officially deployed with the formidable Eastern Fleet of the Indian Navy. Addressing the gathering, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh stated that Andhra Pradesh has rapidly emerged as a powerful new hub for defence and aerospace manufacturing in the country.
The state of the art warship was conceptualized by the Warship Design Bureau of the Indian Navy and constructed by the Mumbai based Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited. It features advanced stealth technology, enhanced security capabilities and high level automation that allows it to evade enemy radar systems efficiently. It is heavily equipped with indigenous weapons, sensors and electronic warfare systems. According to naval officials, the vessel is fully capable of neutralizing simultaneous threats originating from the air, the ocean surface and underwater.
Emphasizing the importance of a rapid response naval force, Singh highlighted recent global conflicts. He noted that amidst the ongoing crisis in West Asia, the Indian Navy successfully launched Operation Urja Suraksha. Under this critical mission, the Navy provided safe passage to eighteen merchant vessels carrying essential cargo worth more than nine thousand crore rupees. Singh remarked that this operation firmly establishes the Indian Navy not just as a combat force, but as a strong protector of the economic interests of the nation.
The construction of INS Mahendragiri represents a massive success for the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative. Over seventy five percent of its components and technologies have been developed domestically. Numerous micro, small and medium enterprises played a vital role in its manufacturing process, which significantly boosted local employment opportunities.
The mighty warship draws its name from the Mahendragiri mountain range located in the Eastern Ghats. It is the first Indian naval ship to bear this prestigious name, which symbolizes immense strength and firm determination. Operating under the motto Mighty, Majestic, Matchless, the frigate will enhance maritime security operations, search and rescue missions and disaster relief efforts across the vast Indian Ocean Region and beyond.