Defence News: India Thursday started the construction of a new stealth frigate for Indian Navy. Vice Admiral S R Sarma of the Indian Navy and VL Kantha Rao Additional Secretary (Defence Production) jointly laid the keel of the third ship (Yard- 12653) in a virtual ceremony.
“Seven frigates under P17A series will be constructed of which four are being constructed in MDL and three in GRSE with MDL as the lead yard,” the ministry of defence said.
Defence ministry said the P17A class frigates are being built using indigenously developed steel and fitted with weapons and sensors along with Integrated Platform Management System.
These ships have stealth features that will make it difficult for enemy radars to detect them.
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Indian Navy’s Project 17A Class Ship
Defence ministry said construction of P17A ships differ in the very concept of warship building by way of adoption of the modern technology ‘Integrated Construction (IC)’ where the blocks are pre-outfitted before joining to reduce the build period of warships.
“When commissioned the platforms will enhance the combat capability of the Indian Naval fleet,” the MoD added.
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The keel laying ceremony was conducted through an e-platform in the presence of Vice Admiral R B Pandit, Chief of Staff, HQWNC and Vice Admiral Narayan Prasad (Retd), CMD of MDL.
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