Dunagiri, Project 17A Frigate

Context

Recently, the Defence Minister of India launched Y- 3023 Dunagiri, a Project 17A frigate built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders Limited (GRSE) in Kolkata.

About Dunagiri, Project 17A Frigate

• Named after a mountain range in the state of Uttarakhand, Dunagiri is the fourth ship of P17A Frigates.
• Dunagiri P17A Frigates are a follow-on class of the P17 (Shivalik Class) Frigates with improved stealth features with advanced weapons and sensors and platform management systems.
• The first two ships of the P17A project were launched in 2019 and 2020 at Mazagaon Dock Limited (MDL) and GRSE in Kolkata.
• The third ship, the Udaygiri was launched at MDL on 17 May 2022 in this year. 
• P17A ships have been designed in-house by the Indian Navy Directorate of Naval Design (DND), which has successfully spearheaded the design of numerous classes of indigenous warships.
  

About Project P17A

• Under project P17A, the first two ships were launched in 2019 and 2020.
• First ship was launched atMazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited. 
• On the other hand, a second ship was launched at Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Limited. 
• On May 17, 2022, the third ship named Udaygiri was launched at MDL. 
• All the ships under project P17A have been designed in-house by the Directorate of Naval Design (DND) of Indian Navy.

Significance 

• It is a step toward self-reliance in warship building.
• 'Dunagiri' would be a world-class stealth frigate with multidimensional capabilities to destroy the enemies from sea, sky, and underwater.
• For tackling Security challenges in the Indian Ocean region and Indo-Pacific.
• It will promote the Vision of SAGAR and protect, preserve and promote India's National Maritime interests. 
• It will empower the Indian Navy with better defense infrastructure and assets and will also ensure deterrence in the Indian Ocean region.