Kolkata: GRSE built first Project 17A stealth frigate ship 'Himgiri' launched

It was launched by Madhulika Rawat, wife of Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat.

After making first contact with water, Himgiri, first of the three state-of-the-art naval ships being built by the GRSE in Kolkata under the Project 17A, will be sent for extensive trials and fittings of ultra-modern gadgets before it is handed over to the Indian Navy.

Speaking on the occasion, CDS General Bipin Rawat, who was present there as the chief guest, said, "I congratulate GRSE for completing the making of the first stealth frigate under Project 17A two months ahead of the schedule, even amid a pandemic situation."

"India is now one of the nations that designs and produces complex battle ready ships equipped with ultra-modern gadgets," Bipin Rawat said.

"I hope the final delivery of this ship and the two subsequent ships of this project will remain etched as historic events towards the country's relentless efforts in achieving self-reliance," General Rawat added.

Ships under Project 17A will be the most advanced state-of-the-art Guided Missile Frigates, 149 metres long, with a displacement of approximately 6670 tonnes and having an advanced CODOG Propulsion system enabling a speed of over 28 knots.

These complex weapon platforms will be equipped with a powerful weapon and sensor package capable of neutralising threats in all three dimensions- air, surface and sub-surface.

Project 17A Stealth Frigates are being built using Integrated Construction Methodology with enhanced pre-outfitting to enhance quality and reduce build periods, GRSE officials said.

According to the Ministry of Defence, the contract for construction of these three Stealth Frigates under Project 17A is the largest ever order awarded to the shipyard with a value of over Rs. 19293 crores.

Apart from the Project 17A, GRSE is currently executing two more major projects of Indian Navy pertaining to construction of four Survey Vessel Large Ships and eight ASW SWC ships, while the shipyard has an order book of Rs. 26189 crore for construction of 15 warships of the Navy which is likely to be completed by 2027.

(Reporting by Deepayan Sinha, Images by Avishek Mitra/IBNS)