Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd (MDL) delivered two advanced warships, the stealth frigate Nilgiri (Project 17A) and the guided missile destroyer Surat (Project 15B), to the Indian Navy on Friday. Designed by the Navy’s Warship Design Bureau and built under the supervision of the Warship Overseeing Team in Mumbai, the induction of these state-of-the-art vessels significantly enhances the Navy’s combat readiness and operational capabilities.
Surat: The Final Guided Missile Destroyer of Project 15B
The Surat (Yard 12707) is the Visakhapatnam–class destroyer’s fourth and final stealth-guided missile destroyer (Project 15B). Preceded by Visakhapatnam, Mormugao, and Imphal, Surat marks the culmination of the Navy’s indigenous destroyer-building journey that began with the Delhi-class destroyers in the late 1990s.
With a displacement of 7,400 tons and a length of 164 meters, Surat is armed with cutting-edge weapons and sensors, including surface-to-air and anti-ship missiles, torpedoes, and rapid-fire systems. Powered by a Combined Gas and Gas (COGAG) propulsion system featuring four gas turbines, it achieves speeds exceeding 30 knots (56 km/h). Additionally, Surat integrates advanced AI-based solutions to enhance operational efficiency, making it the Navy’s first AI-enabled warship.
Construction milestones include keel laying on 7 November 2019, launching on 17 May 2022, and delivery within a record-breaking 31 months, earning the title of the fastest indigenous destroyer ever built, according to the Indian Navy.
Nilgiri: The First Stealth Frigate of Project 17A
The Nilgiri (Yard 12651) is the first of seven planned Project 17A stealth frigates, a follow-on to the Shivalik Class. Built using an “Integrated Construction” philosophy to minimize build time, the frigate can operate in blue water environments, addressing conventional and non-conventional threats to India’s maritime interests.
Powered by a Combined Diesel or Gas (CODOG) propulsion system, the ship boasts a sophisticated Integrated Platform Management System (IPMS) for operational efficiency. It is equipped with supersonic surface-to-surface missiles, medium-range surface-to-air missiles, and advanced close-in weapon systems.
Nilgiri’s keel was laid on 28 December 2017, and the ship was launched on 28 September 2019. Following rigorous harbour and sea trials since August 2024, the vessel is now ready for operational deployment.
A Testament to Self-Reliance
Both ships highlight India’s growing self-reliance in warship design and construction, with over 75% indigenous content. Contributions from more than 200 MSMEs, alongside major Indian defence firms like BHEL, BEL, L&T, and Mahindra, underscore the nation’s industrial and technological capabilities.
The ongoing Project 17A and Project 15B initiatives have boosted employment, economic growth, and the defence manufacturing ecosystem in India. The remaining six Project 17A frigates are under construction at MDL, Mumbai, and GRSE, Kolkata, with expected deliveries in 2025 and 2026.
The Indian Navy’s dual induction of Surat and Nilgiri represents a significant leap in maritime strength and underscores the commitment to achieving ‘Atmanirbharta’ (self-reliance) in defence.
Team BharatShakti