According to a tweet published by the Indian Navy on July 15, 2022, the fourth Nilgiri class (Project 17A) frigate Dunagiri was launched at GRSE Ltd, Kolkata.
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Launching ceremony of the Nilgiri class frigate Dunagiri, Kolkata, India. (Picture source: GRSE)
The Nilgiri-class frigates, formally classified as the Project-17 Alpha frigates (P-17A), are a series of guided-missile frigates currently being built by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders (MDL) and Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), for the Indian Navy.
The frigate maintains a low infrared signature – through the diluting of the hull's temperature emissions by the application of the Venturi effect, and a low acoustic signature – through the utility of non-cavitating propellers and specialized "acoustic enclosures" designed to reduce the acoustic emissions of the vessel's machinery.
The frigates have a length of 149 m (488 ft 10 in), a beam of 17.8 m (58 ft 5 in), and a draft of 5.22 m (17 ft 2 in). They can reach a top speed of 32 knots (59 km/h).
Each frigate features two General Electric LM2500 gas turbines – manufactured by GE Aviation and two MAN 12V28/33D STC four-stroke engines – manufactured by MAN Diesel & Turbo – in a combined diesel and gas (CODAG) propulsion configuration.
The class features the EL/M-2248 MF-STAR active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar as its primary radar suite. The EL/M-2248 is a multi-function, phased-array radar system featuring an azimuth of 360o, with the capability to track both aerial and surface targets – at a range of over 450 km (280 mi).
As part of its anti-surface warfare (ASuW) capabilities, the class features eight BrahMos anti-ship cruise missiles, capable of speeds of up to Mach 3. The BrahMos is widely regarded as one of the most formidable anti-ship missiles currently in service, given the missile's extreme versatility and maneuverability.
The vessels are equipped with one OTO Melara 76 mm naval gun. Originally, the Indian Navy had planned to install the Mk 45 127 mm naval gun, manufactured by BAE; however, this plan was later scrapped in 2021 on account of financial constraints.
