INS Himgiri: India's new Nilgiri-class frigate set to boost Indian Navy's might

Indian Navy recently received the third ship of Nilgiri-class (Project 17A) and the first of the class built at Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE).

 

Project 17A frigates are versatile multi-mission platforms, designed to address current and future challenges in the maritime domain.

 

A reincarnation of the erstwhile INS Himgiri, a Leander-class frigate that was decommissioned in 2005 after 30 years of service, Himgiri is equipped with an advanced weapon and sensor suite, just like the other Nilgiri Class warships. The weapon suite of the warship includes a supersonic Surface-to-Surface missile system, Medium-Range Surface to Air Missile system, 76 mm Gun, and a combination of 30 mm and 12.7 mm rapid-fire Close-in Weapon Systems.

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This state-of-the-art frigate reflects a quantum leap in naval design, stealth, firepower, automation and survivability and is a symbol of self-reliance in defence as it has 75 per cent indigenous content, the defence ministry stated in a release.

 

"Designed by the Warship Design Bureau (WDB) and overseen by the Warship Overseeing Team (Kolkata), P17A frigates reflect a generational leap in indigenous ship design, stealth, survivability, and combat capability," the ministry said.

 

P17A ships are configured with Combined Diesel or Gas (CODOG) propulsion plants, comprising a diesel engine and gas turbine, that drives a Controllable Pitch Propeller (CPP) on each shaft.

Defence