Indian Navy Project 17A – Burning Issues

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WHAT IS PROJECT 17-A OF INDIAN NAVY ?

The Nilgiri-class frigates, formally classified as the Project-17 Alpha frigates (P-17A), are a series of guided-missile frigates currently being built by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders (MDL) and Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), for the Indian Navy.

Over the years, GRSE has emerged as a leading shipyard having built over 100 ships. The yard has scaled up its infrastructure and skill sets to meet new challenges in building of P17A ships.
The coveted ‘Project 17A’ was cleared by the govt back in 2015.

It involves the building of seven stealth frigates at an estimated cost of Rs 50,000 crore.
P17A ships are the first gas turbine propulsion and largest combat platforms ever built at GRSE.
Modular construction of the ship through outsourcing, and integrated construction methodology are being used to enhance GRSE’s productivity for delivery of ship targeted in August 2023.
The project is at par with the “Atmanirbhar Bharat Vision” as 80% of the material and equipments are sourced from indigenous vendors along with employment generation from over 2000 Indian firms.

In June 2009, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) cleared a proposal for the procurement of seven stealth frigates– classified as “Project 17A” – on the lines of the Indian Navy’s initiative of establishing a 160-ship fleet

Initially, the Indian Navy favoured a proposal of building the first two frigates at a foreign shipyard – seeking to minimize the project’s overall construction timeline
However, this suggestion was overruled by India’s Ministry of Defence (MoD) – which favoured indigenous production of the frigates

These frigates will come armed with advanced state-of-the-art sensors and boast of top-notch stealth

The new design concept will help in achieving improved survivability, sea keeping and ship manoeuvrability
The Nilgiri-class will have a length of 149m, a width of 17.8m and a draft of 5.22m. The frigate will have the capacity to accommodate 226 personnel.
They will represent the most advanced class of major surface warships for the Indian Navy in a decade, also featuring BrahMos supersonic surface-to-surface missiles.

The stern flight deck of the frigates will have the capability to accommodate two medium-sized rotorcraft such as HAL Dhruv or Sea King Mk. 42B helicopters.

The seven frigates were envisioned as a “follow-on series” to the Shivalik-class frigates (Project 17) Comparison to the Shivalik – class frigates
The P-17A are the first class of frigates in the Indian Navy to utlilize vertical launching system (VLS) cells for firing its surface to air missiles

The P-17 uses a relatively older single-arm missile launcher
The P-17A and the P-17 feature similar hull geometry; however, the P-17A’s hull dimensions, most particularly its length and breadth – exceed the P-17’s dimensions by around 4-5%

“The Indo-Pacific region is important for the economy of the whole world. India is a responsible maritime stakeholder in the region. We support consensus-based principles and peaceful, open, rule-based and stable maritime order. Being an important country in this region, it is the primary objective of our Navy to keep the Indo-Pacific open, safe and secure”

:- Rajnath Singh (Indian Defence Minister )

The name “HIMGIRI” has taken from the second frigate of the leader class ship “INS Himgiri (F34)” which was launched 50 years ago in 1970 and decommissioned in 2005
COST – Rs 19,294 crore
WEIGHT – 6,670 tonnes
149 metres long
Launched on 14 December 2020
Commissioned by August 2023

“We believe in peaceful and mutually beneficial co-existence with our neighbours. The government was deeply conscious of the requirements of the Armed Forces and remains committed to its modernisation.”

:- Rajnath Singh (Indian Defence Minister )

Q) Which one among the following is the unit raised to protect the naval assets?

A) Sagar Nigrani Bal
B) Sagar Suraksha Bal
C) Sagar Prahari Bal
D) Sagar Rakshak Bal

Answer – C

Explanation – The Sagar Prahari Bal (SPB) meaning Ocean Sentinel Force, is a unit of the Indian Navy, formed in March 2009, which is entrusted with the responsibility of patrolling India’s coastal waters & protecting naval assets.