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The Indian Navy is preparing to launch a major acquisition initiative, designated Project 17B, for the construction of seven advanced stealth frigates.
Valued at an estimated Rs 70,000 crore (approximately $8 billion), this project represents a significant investment in modernising India's naval fleet.
According to officials from Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), a formal Request for Proposal (RFP) is anticipated by the end of 2025, setting the stage for the next generation of Indian warships.
As a direct successor to the ongoing Project 17A (Nilgiri-class), Project 17B aims to build upon its success by incorporating more advanced technologies and enhanced combat capabilities.
These new guided-missile frigates will be engineered with superior stealth features, including a reduced radar cross-section and suppressed acoustic signatures, making them difficult for adversaries to detect.
The warships will be equipped with state-of-the-art sensor suites, powerful radar systems, and a formidable arsenal of weaponry, designed to counter threats in the air, on the surface, and underwater.
This project is a cornerstone of the Indian Navy's plan to expand its fleet to 175 warships by 2035 to safeguard India's maritime interests in the increasingly contested Indian Ocean Region.
The construction of the seven frigates will be distributed between two Indian shipyards in a 4:3 split. This approach is intended to leverage the nation's shipbuilding capacity, ensure timely delivery, and foster competition.
While the selection is yet to be finalised, Mumbai-based Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDSL) and Kolkata-based GRSE are considered the primary contenders, given their experience in successfully constructing the seven frigates under Project 17A.
This new project will also place a strong emphasis on the "Aatmanirbhar Bharat" (Self-Reliant India) initiative, aiming to exceed the 75% indigenous content achieved in the Nilgiri-class frigates and further strengthen India's sovereign defence manufacturing ecosystem.
The release of the RFP by the end of 2025 will mark the official commencement of the procurement process. This document will provide detailed technical specifications, performance requirements, and commercial terms, allowing eligible shipyards to submit their comprehensive bids.
Following the evaluation of proposals and contract finalisation, the construction phase will begin.
Given the complexity and scale of modern warship construction, the project will span several years, with the first ship of the Project 17B class expected to be commissioned into the Indian Navy in the early 2030s.
