INS Mahendragiri Indian Navy: The Indian Navy added a new warship to its force on Saturday, July 11, 2026, when INS Mahendragiri (F38) was officially commissioned at the Naval Dockyard in Visakhapatnam. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh led the ceremony, and the ship was placed into the Navy’s Eastern Fleet. The Ministry of Defence said this is the sixth Project 17A indigenous stealth frigate to join the Navy in just 1.5 years.
INS Mahendragiri is a modern warship built in India. It was designed by the Indian Navy’s Warship Design Bureau and made by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited in Mumbai. The Navy says the ship is built to handle many kinds of sea missions. These include fleet air defence, anti-surface warfare, anti-submarine warfare, maritime patrol, surveillance, and humanitarian and disaster relief work.
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Indigenously built Stealth Frigate
The ship has more than 75% indigenous content, according to the official release. It weighs about 6,670 tonnes and can move at speeds of up to 28 knots. It is also fitted with advanced stealth features, modern sensors, network-based combat systems, supersonic surface-to-surface missiles, medium-range surface-to-air missiles, anti-submarine warfare weapons, and an embarked multi-role helicopter. The official release also says the frigate can be equipped with the BrahMos missile, along with radar, torpedo launchers, an electronic warfare suite, and a close-in weapon system.
The Navy said the ship has a reduced radar signature, a high level of automation, and strong survivability. On 10 July 2026, the Ministry of Defence had already said Mahendragiri would join the Eastern Fleet in Visakhapatnam the next day. Rajnath Singh also posted about going to the city for the commissioning ceremony of the 6th Project 17A stealth frigate.
Rajnath Singh on Indian Navy
During the event, Rajnath Singh said, “India is a net security provider and a trusted partner dedicated to ensuring security and development across the region,” while praising the Indian Navy for its work in humanitarian assistance, anti-piracy duty, and rescue missions for Indian and foreign nationals in crisis zones. The ministry also said he described Mahendragiri as a symbol of Aatmanirbhar Bharat and India’s move toward a more advanced and combat-ready Navy.
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He also said the ship will help India stretch its blue-water reach and strengthen its presence in the Indian Ocean Region. The official release added that the Navy sees Mahendragiri as part of a bigger plan to stay ready for sea, air, and underwater threats while keeping more focus on indigenous shipbuilding and future technology.
