GRSE Lays Keel for First P-17A Stealth Frigate

The new class of frigates come with advanced technology upgrades with enhanced weapons platforms

In the presence of Vice Admiral KB Singh, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief (FOC-in-C), Eastern Naval Command and other senior officials, Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE) on November 10 laid the keel of its first advanced stealth frigate P-17A (Yard 3022) at GRSE’s Main Works Unit in Kolkata.

GRSE had signed the contract to build three highly advanced stealth frigates on 20 February 2015 with the ministry of defence for Rs 19,293.46 crore. The state-owned shipyard is expected to deliver the first frigate by 2023 and next two ships in 2024 and 2025, respectively. This is the biggest order taken by the company so far.




Project 17A frigates are modernised Guided Missile Frigates, built with integrated construction methodology and latest stealth features with improved weapon platform. The Project 17A class is a follow-on of the Project 17 Shivalik-class frigates, which are already in service with the Indian Navy. Under Project 17A frigates, GRSE will construct three 6,700-tonne stealth frigates. Italy’s Fincantieri has been roped in for technology upgradation and capability enhancement of the vessels.

The Indian Navy plans to integrate seven such frigates under Project 17A, and four of the frigates will be built by Mazagon Dock Ltd (MDL) in Mumbai. The keel laying of the first P17A-class stealth frigate (Yard no: 12651) was conducted by the state-owned Mazagon Dock Limited (MDL) on Dec. 28, 2017.