According to officials familiar with the matter, Sudesh Dhankhar, the wife of Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, launched the Indian Navy's latest warship 'Mahendragiri' at the Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited in Mumbai. Built in 14 months, the warship boasts a length of 149 meters, 17.8 meters width, and is expected to achieve a top speed of 28 knots.

'Mahendragiri' represents the seventh and final stealth frigate under Project 17A, with four warships constructed at Mazagon Dock and the remaining at Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE) in Kolkata. These warships have a displacement of 6,670 tonnes.

The launch of a warship signifies a significant milestone in its construction, marking its entry into the water for the first time. Earlier, President Droupadi Murmu had launched the sixth warship of Project 17A, 'Vindhyagiri,' at GRSE on August 17.

Project 17A frigates are an advancement of the Project 17 (Shivalik class) frigates, featuring enhanced stealth capabilities, advanced weaponry, sensors, and platform management systems. The previous five warships under Project 17A were launched between 2019 and 2022.

All Project 17A warships are presently at various stages of construction, with deliveries to the navy expected between 2024 and 2026. This launch coincides with the government's emphasis on self-reliance in defense, and it occurs amid shifting power dynamics in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), where the Chinese People's Liberation Army-Navy (PLAN) is actively expanding its presence.

The Navy, in a statement, highlighted, "The newly christened Mahendragiri is a technologically advanced warship and stands as a symbol of India's determination to embrace its rich naval heritage while propelling itself towards a future of indigenous defense capabilities."

This launch aligns with the government's priority of achieving self-reliance in defense, especially considering the evolving power dynamics in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) as the Chinese People's Liberation Army-Navy (PLAN) continues its efforts to expand its presence.

Image source: Business Standard