India To Build Next-Gen Stealth Frigates In A Historic Rs. 70000 Crore Deal

The Ministry of Defense plans to approve a historic Rs. 70000 crore deal to build advanced stealth frigates for the Indian Navy.

The new vessels will be the most technologically advanced warships ever built domestically.

The deal, known as Project 17B, will involve the construction of state-of-the-art frigates that will continue the advancement of the Nilgiri class, which is currently under development.

These advanced ships will be outfitted with a high level of Indigenous content, including locally developed fire control systems, Brahmos cruise missiles, anti-submarine weaponry, and sophisticated electronic warfare systems.

Mazagon Dockyards Limited (MDL) and Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE), both government-owned shipyards, are the leading contenders for this massive project.

Both yards are actively constructing frigates under Project 17A, with MDL handling four ships and GRSE working on three.

The Ministry of Defense is expected to determine whether to split the Project 17B order between these two shipyards, as it did with Project 17A.

The decision intends to expedite the delivery timelines for the Indian Navy while also supporting the project’s numerous sub-suppliers and vendors.

MDL, located in Mumbai, is one of India’s most advanced shipyards, and this contract is expected to increase its already significant order record.

The yard is currently constructing Kalvari-class submarines and Project 17A-class frigates and has recently completed Project 15 B-class destroyers.

MDL is also expected to sign a deal for three additional Kalvari class submarines worth approximately Rs 35,000 crore during the current fiscal year.

These new submarines will be larger and more advanced than the yard’s previous six Kalvari-class submarines.

On the other hand, GRSE, based in Kolkata, focuses on building next-generation offshore patrol vessels and anti-submarine warfare corvettes.

The yard has also recently won export orders, with several more in progress.

The approval of this contract is expected to significantly strengthen India’s naval capabilities and boost the country’s defence manufacturing sector.

Reference: TOI

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Source: Maritime Shipping News