The Indian Navy will induct Mahendragiri (F38), the sixth Project 17A indigenous stealth frigate, into its Eastern Fleet at Visakhapatnam on July 11, 2026. The commissioning ceremony will be presided over by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, marking a significant milestone in India's defence self-reliance and indigenous warship construction.
The frigate was designed in-house by the Indian Navy's Warship Design Bureau and built by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) in Mumbai. Mahendragiri incorporates advanced stealth features, enhanced survivability, reduced radar signature, and a high degree of automation, enabling it to undertake full spectrum maritime operations in all dimensions of naval warfare.
With over 75 percent indigenous content, the ship reflects the success of the Government of India's Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative and highlights the growing capability of the Indian shipbuilding ecosystem. The construction involved a large number of Indian industries, including Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), strengthening the nation's defence industrial base and generating significant employment.
The warship is equipped with an advanced suite of indigenous and state-of-the-art weapons, sensors, and electronic warfare systems, enabling effective anti-air, anti-surface, and anti-submarine operations. It is also capable of maritime security operations, Search and Rescue missions, Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR), and sustained deployments across the Indian Ocean Region and beyond.
Named after the Mahendragiri mountain range in the Eastern Ghats, the ship symbolizes strength, resilience, and steadfast resolve. As the first Indian Naval warship to bear this name, Mahendragiri carries forward a legacy reflecting the Navy's commitment to operational excellence and national service. The induction strengthens Indian Navy's combat capability and underscores India's emergence as a leading indigenous warship-building nation, enhancing its role as the Preferred Security Partner in the IOR and a key contributor to a secure Indo-Pacific region.