India’s Project 15B Destroyer, Project 17A Frigate Launched in Mumbai

The Indian Navy’s fourth Project 15B guided-missile destroyer Surat and Project 17A frigate Udaygiri were launched at Mumbai-based Mazagaon Docks Limited (MDL) today.

The Indian Navy’s Directorate of Naval Design (DND) is the brain behind the design of both 15B and P17A ships.

The contract for construction of four P-15B ships was signed in 2011. They feature advanced stealth features and a high degree of automation. These ships come armed with BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles and long-range Surface-to-Air Missiles. They are fitted with several indigenous weapons systems like medium range Surface-to-Air Missile (SAMs), indigenous torpedo tube launchers, anti-submarine indigenous rocket launchers and 76-mm super rapid gun mount.

Udaygiri is the third P-17A vessel, an improved version of the P17 frigate (Shivalik-Class). Seven ships are under construction in the P17A program. Four are being constructed at MDL and there are three which are under construction at Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Ltd (GRSE). These 6,600-tonne frigates are reincarnations of the six-ship Leander-class, or the Nilgiri-class.