PROJECT 17A

  • Recently, Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd (MDL), which is under the Ministry of Defence, launched Taragiri, the third stealth frigate of Project 17A.
  • Project 17 Alpha frigates (P-17A) were launched by the Indian Navy in 2019 to construct a series of stealth guided-missile frigates.
  • These are currently being constructed by two companies – Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders (MDL) and Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE).
  • These guided-missile frigates have been constructed with a specific stealth design, which has radar-absorbent coatings and is low-observable which can make its approach undetectable for the enemies.
  • The new technology also reduces the infrared signals of the ship.
  • The first stealth ship launched under Project 17A was the Nilgiri, which was launched in 2019.
  • Udaygiri, the second ship, was launched in May 2022, and will likely be commissioned in 2024.
  • Present Status: Further, seven P17A Frigates are under various stages of construction at MDL and GRSE.

Benefits:

  • It provides additional benefits such as economic development, and employment generation for Indian Shipyards, their sub-contractors and the ancillary industry.
  • Around 75% of the orders of Project 17A have been placed on indigenous firms including MSMEs, thus reinforcing the country’s quest for Atma Nirbhar Bharat.
  • Indigenous construction of complex frontline ships such as Stealth Frigates has catapulted the nation to a higher pedestal in the arena of shipbuilding.

Key Highlights of Taragiri

  • Taragiri is named after a hill range in the Himalayas located at Garhwal.
  • The ship has been built using an integrated construction methodology which involves hull block construction in different geographical locations.
  • The ship will have state-of-the-art weapons, sensors, an advanced action information system, an integrated platform management system, world-class modular living spaces, a sophisticated power distribution system and a host of other advanced features.
  • It will be fitted with a supersonic surface-to-surface missile system.
  • The ship’s air defence capability, designed to counter the threat of enemy aircraft and anti-ship cruise missiles will revolve around the vertical launch and long-range surface-to-air missile system.

SOURCE: THE HINDU,THE ECONOMIC TIMES,MINT

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