GRSE Delivers Frigate Himgiri Constructed Under Project 17A to Navy

In a major boost to the country's naval power, the defence shipyard Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE) delivered the Himgiri warship to the Indian Navy on 31 July 2025.  Stealth frigate Himgiri is one of the seven Project-17A Nilgiri-class frigates being built for the Indian Navy. The ship is likely to be formally inducted into the Indian Navy in the near future.

Project 17 A Nilgiri Class Frigates 

The Union Ministry of Defence approved Project 17A for the Indian Navy under which seven ships were to be constructed indigenously. The ships are known as Nilgiri class frigates.

Four ships - Nilgiri, Udaygiri, Taragiri and Mahendragiri are being built by the Mazagon Docks Shipbuilders Limited (MDL).

Three ships —Himgiri, Dunagiri, and Vindhyagiri — are being built by the GRSE.

The MDL has handed over INS Nilgiri and INS Udaygiri to the Indian Navy. The other two are in various stages of construction. 

The Frigate built under Project 17A is an improvement over the frigates built under Project 17, specifically the Shivalik class frigates, which are in service with the Indian Navy.

Features of the Nilgiri-class Frigates 

Ships have been designed and constructed indigenously within the country, featuring around 75% indigenous content.

The ship is powered by a Combined Diesel or Gas propulsion plant, comprising a diesel engine and a gas turbine.

It features improved stealth, indigenous weapons, and sensors compared to its predecessor, the Shivalik class frigates.

The ships are being constructed with indigenous, specially produced, high-grade steels and can accommodate two helicopters.

Weapon Capability 

The Ship can carry two helicopters on board.

It can carry eight BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles, 32 medium-range surface-to-air missiles (MRSAM), indigenously developed torpedoes, and 76 mm guns, among other capabilities.

The ship is equipped with an Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, Indra surveillance radar, and an electronic warfare suite, among other systems.

The ship will also be fitted with indian made VL-SRSAM (vertically launched - Short Range Surface to Air Missile )

About  Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE)

The GRSE started its journey as a Small River Steam Workshop in Kolkata in 1884 to repair river boats.

In 1960, the Government of India took over the company, and in 1977, its name was changed to Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Limited.

It is under the Union Ministry of Defence.

It was granted a  Miniratna Category I Status in 2006.

It is the leading shipyard of India that builds warships,patrol vessels and other vessels for the Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard.

Headquarters - Kolkata 

Also Read: India Begins Building First Indigenous Hovercraft for Coast Guard