NEW DELHI: In what’s going to present a lift to the navy’s capabilities, Sudesh Dhankhar, spouse of Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, will launch India’s newest warship, Mahendragiri, on the Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited, Mumbai, on September 1, the Indian Navy stated in an announcement.

Mahendragiri is the seventh and final stealth frigate of Project 17A — 4 warships are being constructed at Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited and the remainder at Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata, beneath the venture.

A warship’s launch marks a big milestone in its building and refers back to the vessel coming into the water for the primary time.

Earlier, President Droupadi Murmu launched Vindhyagiri, the sixth warship of Project 17A, at GRSE on August 17.

“The launch of Mahendragiri is an apt testament to the incredible progress our nation has made in building a self-reliant naval force,” the assertion stated.

Project 17A frigates are a follow-on to the Project 17 (Shivalik class) frigates, with improved stealth options, superior weapons and sensors, and platform administration techniques.

The earlier 5 warships beneath Project 17A had been launched throughout 2019-22. The newest launch comes at a time when self-reliance in defence is a prime precedence for the federal government, and when the ability dynamics within the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) are altering with the Chinese People’s Liberation Army-Navy (PLAN) making concerted efforts to extend its footprint.

All Project 17A warships are presently in several levels of building and are anticipated to be delivered to the navy throughout 2024-26.