India to Strengthen Naval Power with ₹70,000 Crore Stealth Frigate Order

The Indian Ministry of Defense is poised to approve a significant ₹70,000 crore (approximately US$8.4 billion) contract for the construction of advanced stealth frigates for the Indian Navy.

This ambitious project, designated Project 17B, will produce the most sophisticated warships ever built in India, advancing the capabilities established by the Nilgiri-class frigates currently under construction.

State-owned shipyards Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) and Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE), both of which are actively engaged in building Nilgiri-class frigates under Project 17A, are anticipated to be the primary contenders for this substantial order.

While official details are pending government clearance, it is possible that the contract could be divided between the two yards to expedite delivery timelines, mirroring the approach taken with Project 17A.

The Project 17B frigates are expected to feature a high degree of indigenous content, incorporating domestically developed fire control systems, BrahMos cruise missiles, anti-submarine weapons, and electronic warfare systems.

This initiative will not only bolster India's naval prowess but also significantly benefit numerous sub-suppliers and vendors within the country's defense industrial base.

MDL, recognized as one of India's most advanced shipyards, boasts a robust order book that could be further augmented by this contract. The Mumbai-based yard is presently engaged in the construction of Kalvari-class submarines, Project 17A frigates, and has recently completed the construction of Project 15B destroyers.

Additionally, MDL is expected to secure a contract for three more advanced Kalvari-class submarines in the current financial year, estimated to be worth around ₹35,000 crore.

GRSE, located in Kolkata, is actively involved in the production of next-generation offshore patrol vessels and anti-submarine warfare corvettes. The shipyard has also demonstrated success in securing export orders, with more potential contracts in the pipeline.

 

[Aayush Pratap]

NGD class is under design phase..

We'll see when we cross that bridge, bruh.

 

[desigandu]

The P-18 NGDs are under development, and based on conference calls from MDL, GRSE, and CSL, the RfP for those is expected in late 2025, with an estimated contract award in 2027-28, and the ships to start entering service from 2035-36.

Should we not get 4-6 follow on orders of P15Bs, to ensure there is no gap…in any case we need 2 classes of destroyers P18s/14000 tons (more like cruisers) and P15s/8000 tons…

 

[desigandu]

There is plenty of room on our present warships. There is a fair bit of deck space available on the P-15A, P-15B, P-17, and P-17A ships. That space can be utilised for more VLS cells for SAMs (and potentially AShMs) with some internal rearrangement and external bulwarks.

Increasing the size of the ships may be necessary for destroyers, but not for frigates. Our destroyers, if larger, can accommodate more VLS cells. On the other hand, significant size increases to our frigates will just push them into destroyer size territory with nowhere near the same amount of weaponry.

Besides the names don’t we need ships in say 3-4 weight classes with capabilities based on roles - 5000-6000 ton, 8000-10000 ton, 12000-14000 ton and then come LPDs/LHDs which are very different…of course VLS cell etc need to be commensurate with best in class on a 10-20 years plan/build/deploy horizon….

 

[Aryan Kumar]

When project 17b will get green signal ? Any idea as 17a is near to completion

 

[Anant]

Should we not get 4-6 follow on orders of P15Bs, to ensure there is no gap…in any case we need 2 classes of destroyers P18s/14000 tons (more like cruisers) and P15s/8000 tons…

I am of the opinion we should go for 3 Project 15C destroyers, but if the Navy is planning to forge ahead with 8 P-17Bs plus the 8 NGCs and the like, then we may have our hands full for the time being.

 

[desigandu]

I am of the opinion we should go for 3 Project 15C destroyers, but if the Navy is planning to forge ahead with 8 P-17Bs plus the 8 NGCs and the like, then we may have our hands full for the time being.

Increased shipbuilding with enhanced industrial capacity in Indian shipyards is vital for a more capable navy…a larger navy in all aspects will allow us to dominate IOR. Also we need specialized shipyards but with at least 2 yards producing simultaneously each class of boats…MDL & L&T could do SSKs & Destroyers, while CSL could do carriers, LPDs/LHDs, and GRSE/others could do frigates/corvettes etc, SBC Vizag is doing nuclear subs…Thoughts???