The strength of the Indian Navy has now increased even further. On Saturday (July 11), Defense Minister Rajnath Singh officially commissioned the indigenously designed stealth frigate INS Mahendragiri into the Naval Fleet in a ceremony held at Visakhapatnam Dockyard. This is a big achievement for the Navy as well as India.
This is the sixth indigenous warship built under Project 17A and has been included in the Eastern Fleet of the Navy. Defense Minister Rajnath Singh along with senior naval officers and other dignitaries were present at the ceremony organized at the Naval Dockyard located in the port city. The Defense Minister expressed happiness on this occasion. This is another important achievement in India's journey of self-reliance in the defense sector and indigenous warship construction.
On this occasion, Rajnath Singh said that Andhra Pradesh has now emerged as a new force in the defense and aerospace manufacturing sector of the country. He said that INS Mahendragiri can effectively counter threats from the air, enemy ships on the sea surface and submarines under the sea. He said that as a blue-water warship, it can protect India's maritime interests by being deployed continuously for several weeks not only near the coast but also in distant and deep sea areas.
#WATCH | Andhra Pradesh | Defense Minister Rajnath Singh inspects INS Mahendragiri at the commissioning ceremony of the indigenous stealth frigate at Visakhapatnam Naval Dockyard. pic.twitter.com/8ruj9klUkY
— ANI (@ANI) July 11, 2026
He described it as a major achievement in the direction of self-reliance in India's defense sector and indigenous warship construction. Congratulating the crew of Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL), Indian Navy, INS Mahendragiri and the countrymen, the Defense Minister said that this warship reflects India's growing defense manufacturing capability and its commitment towards a self-reliant India.
INS Mahendragiri is a multi-purpose stealth warship with a total weight of about 6,670 tonnes and a maximum speed of 28 knots (about 52 kilometers per hour), which is capable of carrying out multiple missions at sea. This includes advanced stealth features, better ability to withstand attacks and survive in combat, low visibility on radar and high level of automated systems.
#WATCH | Andhra Pradesh | Defense Minister Rajnath Singh attends the commissioning ceremony of INS Mahendragiri at Visakhapatnam Naval Dockyard. pic.twitter.com/RHZHx6Pc0I
— ANI (@ANI) July 11, 2026
The special thing is that more than 75 percent indigenous materials and equipment have been used in this warship. Which reflects India's design capability, manufacturing excellence and the country's strengthening defense environment. INS Mahendragiri can be equipped with the surface-to-surface BrahMos missile, which is among the fastest and deadliest cruise missiles in the world.
The warship is also equipped with multi-role radar, long-range surface-to-air missile system, indigenous rocket launchers, torpedo launchers, integrated anti-submarine defense system, electronic warfare systems and near-threat weapon systems.
Rajnath Singh said that this warship can effectively carry out air, surface and anti-submarine operations. Apart from this, it is also capable of carrying out missions such as maritime security missions, search and rescue operations, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations and long-term deployment in the Indian Ocean region and beyond.
#WATCH | Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh | At the commissioning ceremony of INS Mahendragiri at Visakhapatnam Naval Dockyard, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh says, “… I had also spoken earlier about the establishment of a 'Drone City' in Kurnool by a consortium of eight drones. pic.twitter.com/LN7PgJNZqp
— ANI (@ANI) July 11, 2026
Describing INS Mahendragiri as a blue-water warship, Singh said that INS Mahendragiri can counter threats from the air, enemy ships present on the surface of the sea and submarines under the sea. Also, to protect India's maritime interests, it can remain deployed continuously for several weeks not only near the coastal areas but also in the far and deep sea.
INS Mahendragiri was named after the Mahendragiri mountain range of the Eastern Ghats. This is the first ship of the Indian Navy to be named Mahendragiri. Referring to the insignia of the warship, the Defense Minister said that it depicts a Shikra (Goshawk bird) sitting on the peak of Mahendragiri mountain. It embodies keen vision, extraordinary patience and the ability to take decisive action, qualities expected of a frontline naval warship.
The Defense Minister said that with the joining of INS Mahendragiri into the Navy, the combat capability of the Indian Navy has been further strengthened. He said that this also underlines India's emergence as a leading country in indigenous warship construction. Along with this, this has further strengthened India's security in the Indian Ocean region.
