Indigenous stealth frigate 'Dunagiri' of Project 17A launched; All you need to know about it-

Kolkata, July 16: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh launched Y- 3023 Dunagiri, Project 17A frigate in Kolkata. Built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders Limited (GRSE), P17A Frigates are follow-on class of the P17 (Shivalik Class) Frigates with improved stealth features, advanced weapons and sensors and platform management systems. Seven P17A Frigates are under various stages of construction at Mazagaon Dock Limited (MDL) and GRSE.

 

Admiral R Hari Kumar, Chief of Naval Staff, and other senior officers from Indian Navy and Ministry of Defence were amongst the dignitaries who attended the ceremony. The ship received a thunderous cheer from the jubilant gathering as she embraced the welcoming waters of the River Hooghly.

 

Singh praised the efforts of Directorate of Naval Design and other Naval Teams in realizing the Nation’s quest for self-reliance with regard to warship building. He also commended GRSE for its unstinted support in the field of ship production despite various challenges and helping Indian Navy realize its ship induction plan. He said that 'Dunagiri' would be a world class stealth frigate with multidimensional capabilities to destroy enemies from sea, sky, and underwater.

 

Speaking about the need to increase our infrastructure and assets in the changing scenario of the world, Defence Minister said that economic, political and trade relations between countries are constantly evolving. Security challenges in the Indian Ocean region and Indo-Pacific are constantly increasing.

 

 

In order to achieve the Prime Minister's Vision of 'SAGAR', i.e. 'Security and Growth for All in the Region' and to protect, preserve and promote India's National Maritime Interests, Indian Navy, Indian Coast Guard and other organisations have to increase the infrastructure and assets so that the country stay ahead of the curve in dealing with these challenges.

 

Speaking on the occasion, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral R. Hari Kumar said while Indian Navy’s primary mandate is to preserve, protect and promote Nation’s maritime interests, it also contributes substantially in building the economy of the country. He said that the Dunagiri project generated more than 3000 local employment opportunities. 

 

In addition, 29 Indian OEMs along with MSMEs across the country are contributing to this project. Thus, the Navy’s budget has a significant ‘plough-back’ into the economy and towards Nation-building. 88% of Navy’s future contracts amounting to investments of nearly Rs 1,75,000 Crore are being progressed through Indian Enterprises, he added.

 

 

Christened after a mountain range in the state of Uttarakhand, ‘Dunagiri’ is the fourth ship of P17A Frigates. These are follow-on of the P17 Frigates (Shivalik Class) with improved stealth features, advanced weapons and sensors and platform management systems.

 

‘Dunagiri’ is the reincarnation of the erstwhile ‘Dunagiri’, the Leander Class ASW Frigate, which in her 33 years of service from May 5, 1977 to October 20, 2010. It had witnessed various challenging operations and multinational exercises. The soul of a ship lives eternally and finds a suitable ship.

 

 

It should be noted that the first two ships of P17A Project, were launched in 2019 and 2020 at MDL and GRSE respectively. The third ship (Udaygiri) was launched at MDL on May 17, 2022 earlier this year. The launch of the fourth ship within such a short span is a testimony to the impetus provided towards self-reliant shipbuilding with a focused approach.

 

P17A ships have been designed in-house by Indian Navy’s Directorate of Naval Design (DND), which has successfully spear-headed design of numerous class of indigenous warships in the past. This is a testimony of nation’s unwavering efforts towards ‘AatmaNirbharata’ as 75% of the orders for equipment & system are also being placed on indigenous firms including MSMEs.