Project 17A-class frigate

An artist's depiction of a Project 17A frigate
Class overview
Name: Project 17A
Builders: GRSE
Mazagon Dock
Operators:  Indian Navy
Preceded by: P-17 Shivalik-class
Cost: ₹6,400 crore each
US$1.1 Billion each[1]
Planned: 7
General characteristics
Type:Frigate

The Project 17A-class frigate is a follow-on of the Project 17 Shivalik-class frigate for the Indian Navy. A total of seven ships will be built at Mazagon Dock and GRSE. The construction of the first ship is expected to start by early 2017 and is expected to be launched by 2020,[2] after the shipyards are upgraded to incorporate modular construction techniques.

The anticipated cost for each vessel is above INR4000 crore (US$635 million) and the total deal is expected to be worth more than INR64000 crore (US$10 billion). The vessel will incorporate the latest stealth features. The first ship is expected to roll out by 2022.[1]

Design

The experience gained in designing the Project 17 Shivalik-class frigates will be applied to the Project 17A (P17A). The Project 17A frigates will improve upon the Project 17 (P17) in terms of stealth. They will have covered mooring deck and the number of antennae on the ship will be reduced by using a multi-functional phased array (probably AESA) radar. The P17A will also feature better roll stabilisation and a discreet visual profile. The weapon platform in the P17A ships will be compact and they will be armed with the Barak 8 (missile) surface-to-air missile being developed jointly by India and Israel, and the BrahMos cruise missile. The weapon systems will be flush deck mounted allowing vertical launch of missiles from under the deck.[3] The crew complement will be reduced from the existing 257 (including 35 officers) to about 150 by using high levels of automation, which will reduce the operational costs by around 20 per cent and result in higher operational availability of the warships.[2] The construction times will be reduced and productivity will improved by using modular integrated construction.[4] The ship will have a displacement of 6,000 tonnes.

Progress

According to the former Minister of Defence (India) A. K. Antony, negotiations for the contract of the seven stealth frigates are ongoing, four of which will be constructed by Mazagon Dock Ltd in Mumbai and three by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers in Kolkata. India’s Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) approved the proposal of Ministry of Defence (MoD) for starting the Project 17A design-cum-construction programme in September 2012.[3] The contract was signed with the two shipyards in February 2015. Construction is expected to commence in early 2017 after a preparatory period of 24 months and the first ship is expected to be commissioned by 2023.

See also

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Navy seals 45,000-cr deal: seven warships". Indian Express. 20 June 2009. Retrieved 21 February 2015.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Sengupta, Prasan K. (September 2012). "CCNS finally kickstarts Indian Navy’s Project 17A". ForceIndia.com. Retrieved 21 February 2015.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Stealth Frigates for the Indian Navy" 27.4. Indian Defence Review. 1 January 2013. Retrieved 21 February 2015.
  4. ↑ Verma, Bharat (27 April 2014). "The P-17 frigates, heralds a paradigm shift in the design" 25.2. Indian Defence Review. Retrieved 21 February 2015.

External links