MAHENDRAGIRI
CONTEXT:
- Recently, the Indian Navy launched its latest warship Mahendragiri in Mumbai.
ABOUT MAHENDRAGIRI :
- Constructed as a part of the Indian Navy’s Project 17A, Mahendragiri is the seventh and the last stealth frigate to be built recently.
- It has been named after a mountain peak in the Eastern Ghats of Odisha.
- The warship is expected to have enhanced stealth features, advanced weapons, sensors, and platform management systems.
- Speaking about its structure, the warship has a length of 149 metres, a width of 17.8 metres, and will come with a top speed of 28 knots.
- The newly christened Mahendragiri is a technologically advanced warship and stands as a symbol of India’s determination to embrace its rich naval heritage while propelling itself towards a future of indigenous defence capabilities.
ABOUT PROJECT 17A:
- A follow-on to Project 17 (Shivalik class) frigates, Project 17A is the latest in the line, which promises to come with improved stealth features, advanced weapons and sensors, and platform management systems.
- Stating that over 75% of the orders of Project 17A have been placed with indigenous firms including Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), the Navy said that economic development, employment generation, growth of MSMEs, and ancillary industry in the country are positive spin-offs of the shipbuilding project.
- Under this programme, a total of four ships are constructed by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited and three ships by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE).
- The first six ships have already been launched between 2019 and 2023.
- All Project 17A warships are currently in different stages of construction and are expected to be delivered to the navy from 2024-26.
SYLLABUS: PRELIMS, CURRENT AFFAIRS
