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PROJECT 17
- The Shivalik class or Project 17 class is a class of multi-role frigates in service with the Indian Navy. They are the first stealth warships built in India.
- The class and the lead vessel have been named for the Shivalik hills. Subsequent vessels in the class are also named for hill-ranges in India
PROJECT 17A
- The Nilgiri-class frigate or Project 17A is a follow-on of the Project 17 Shivalik-class frigate for the Indian Navy.
- A total of seven ships will be built at Mazagon Dock and GRSE. Four of the frigates will be constructed by Mazagon Dock Ltd and three by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers.
- The ships have named after hill ranges in India viz. Nilgiri, Himgiri, Taragiri, Udyagiri, Dunagiri, Vindhyagiri and Mahendragiri.
FEATURES
- The project demonstrates the nation’s indigenous capabilities to design, build and integrate systems for modern stealth combat ships.
- The P-17A class frigates are being built using indigenously developed steel and fitted with weapons and sensors along with Integrated Platform Management System.
- P-17A ships will be loaded with indigenous state of the art electronic system, sensor suite. While the weapon platforms will integrate BrahMos, LRSAM (Forward & Aft configuration) with MF STAR radar, indigenous Sonar, and two-Triple tube Heavy Torpedo launcher.
- What adds to the firepower is the Barak-8 supersonic surface-to-air missile with a range of 70-100 km.
- Indian Navy has conducted the maiden co-operative engagement test of the medium range surface to air missile (MRSAM), a ship-based version of Israel’s Barak 8 missile, which is also a preferred anti-missile defence weapon.
- Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat will be the chief guest at the ceremony, he said.
- The ship will be launched by Madhulika Rawat, wife of General Rawat, here on the banks of River Hooghly.
- The Rs 19,294-crore contract for construction of the three stealth frigates under Project 17A is the largest-ever order for the company, the official said.