Order for Frigates Worth INR 70,000 Crore to Be Cleared by the Defence Ministry

A massive purchase of new warships for the Indian Navy, around INR 70,000 crore, is about to be approved by the defence ministry. The stealth frigates are the next generation of Indian naval vessels, following in the footsteps of the Nilgiri class, which are presently in the works.

According to sources, the order, which is referred to as Project 17B, is being bid on by two state-run yards, Mazagon Dockyards Limited (MDL) and Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE). Project 17A (Nilgiri class) frigates are now being built at the two yards. Four frigates are being built by MDL and three are being built by GRSE.

Details will be revealed once the project has been approved by the military ministry. However, similar to Project 17A, it is possible that the project could be divided between the two yards. The Navy can reduce delivery times with a split order.

What is Project 17B

On the P-17B, which is also generally known as the "P-17A repeat order," there will be eight ships, as opposed to the seven ships that were indicated earlier. The project is anticipated to be split between the two shipyards that are comparable to P-17A, with each shipyard potentially producing four hulls. When compared to the cost of INR 45,000 crore for seven ships under P-17A, the project is anticipated to cost approximately INR 70,000 crore for eight ships. The primary reason for this is inflation and the introduction of new technology.

Arsenal That Goes in Frigates

Electronic warfare equipment, anti-submarine weaponry, Brahmos cruise missiles, and fire control systems created domestically will make up a large portion of the advanced frigates' indigenous content. The order is a boon to dozens of vendors and sub-suppliers, who will split the workload fairly.

MDL Order Book

With current projects like the Kalvari class submarines and Project 15B class destroyers, MDL, one of India's leading shipyards, possesses an enormous order book. Furthermore, the yard has almost finished finalizing a contract for three more Kalvari class submarines this fiscal year, with an anticipated cost of around INR 35,000 crore. The current six Kalvari class submarines built by MDL will be surpassed in capability by these modern submarines.

GRSE Order Book

The Kolkata-based GRSE is building anti-submarine warfare corvettes and next-generation offshore patrol vessels at the same time. Significant progress in export orders has also been made by the yard, highlighting its rising status in the global maritime industry.

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