NEW DELHI — The Indian Navy formally accepted the stealth frigate Dunagiri, the first vessel of the Project 17A series, on 23 September 2026. The ceremony, held at the Naval Dockyard in Visakhapatnam, marked the completion of a 12‑year programme that aimed to modernise the fleet with advanced radar‑absorbing materials and integrated combat systems.
India’s first stealth frigate enters service
Commissioned by the Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral R. K. Dhamija, Dunagiri was launched on 12 March 2024 and underwent sea trials that spanned 18 months. The trials tested the ship’s new phased‑array radar, electronic warfare suite and the integrated combat management system that links weapons, sensors and command centres.
The frigate displaces 5,500 tonnes and measures 155 metres in length. It is powered by a combined diesel‑electric and gas turbine (CODLAG) arrangement that provides a top speed of 30 knots and a range of 6,000 nautical miles at 18 knots. The ship carries a 30‑mm main gun, a 76‑mm OTO Melara cannon, two 4.5‑inch missile launchers for the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile and a vertical launch system that can house up to 32 anti‑ship missiles.
“Dunagiri represents a leap forward in India’s maritime deterrence capability,” Admiral Dhamija said during the acceptance ceremony. “Its stealth features and advanced sensors give the Navy a decisive edge in contested waters.” The statement was issued by the Navy’s public affairs office.
Project 17A is the second phase of the Indian Navy’s frigate procurement programme, following the 17A series that introduced the stealth frigate INS Shivalik. The programme was launched in 2014 with a budget of ₹45,000 crore, and the current phase is estimated to cost ₹60,000 crore. The Defence Ministry confirmed that the project is on schedule and within the approved budget.
Construction of Dunagiri was carried out by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) in Mumbai, in collaboration with a consortium of domestic and foreign partners. The ship’s hull incorporates radar‑absorbing paint and composite materials that reduce its radar cross‑section by 40 percent compared with conventional frigates.
“The integration of indigenous technologies with foreign components has been a key focus of the project,” said MDL’s chief executive, Mr. Sanjay Kumar. “We have achieved a high degree of self‑reliance in propulsion, weapons and sensor systems.” The statement was released by MDL’s corporate communications team.
In addition to its combat role, Dunagiri is equipped with a helipad and a flight deck that can support a HAL Chetak helicopter for search‑and‑rescue and anti‑submarine operations. The ship also features a state‑of‑the‑art communications suite that allows secure data links with other naval assets and the Indian Armed Forces’ joint command network.
The acceptance of Dunagiri follows the Navy’s recent procurement of six 1,500‑tonne Landing Craft Utility (LCU) Mk V platforms, which were announced earlier in the year to enhance amphibious and humanitarian assistance capabilities. The LCU acquisition is part of a broader strategy to improve the Navy’s rapid deployment and logistics support in the Indian Ocean Region.
“The addition of the LCU Mk V platforms complements the capabilities of the new frigates and strengthens our ability to conduct joint operations,” said the Navy’s logistics commander, Commodore R. S. Gupta. The statement was issued by the Navy’s logistics division.
Analysts note that the commissioning of Dunagiri comes at a time when India is expanding its naval presence in the Indian Ocean Region. The frigate’s advanced sensors and weapons are expected to enhance the Navy’s ability to monitor maritime traffic and deter potential threats in the Bay of Bengal and beyond.
“India’s focus on stealth and integrated warfare is a clear signal of its intent to maintain a credible deterrent in the region,” said Dr. Anil Kumar, a defence analyst at the Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses. The comment was made during a briefing at the institute’s headquarters.
The Indian Navy has already begun integrating Dunagiri into its fleet operations. The ship will be assigned to the Western Naval Command and is slated to participate in the annual Exercise Valiant Shield, a joint training exercise with the United States Navy scheduled for December 2026.
“Dunagiri will play a pivotal role in our future maritime strategy,” said Admiral Dhamija. The statement was released by the Navy’s public affairs office.
