What is Stealth Frigate INS Vindhyagiri?

What’s in today’s article?

• Why in news?
• What is a stealth frigate?
• What is project 17A?
• News Summary: President Murmu launches stealth frigate INS Vindhyagiri
• Key highlights

Why in news?

• President Droupadi Murmu launched INS Vindhyagiri, the last in the series of three Project 17A (Alpha) frigates.
• It was built by the Indian Navy at Kolkata-based Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE).

What is a Stealth Frigate?

• A stealth frigate is a type of naval warship designed with advanced stealth technology and features to minimize its radar cross-section and overall visibility to enemy detection systems.
• This technology allows the frigate to operate with reduced chances of being detected by radar, making it harder for adversaries to track, target, and engage the vessel.
• Stealth frigates are often designed to have reduced signatures in various ways, including:
  • Radar Cross-Section Reduction: 
    • The shape of the hull and superstructure is carefully designed to deflect and absorb radar waves, reducing the ship’s radar cross-section. 
    • This helps in minimizing the reflections of radar signals and making the vessel less visible on enemy radar screens.
  • Reduced Emission and Signature Management: 
    • These are equipped with technologies that help manage their electromagnetic emissions, such as radar, radio, and other communication systems. 
    • These emissions are carefully controlled to minimize detection by enemy sensors.
  • Low Infrared and Thermal Signatures: 
    • The design and materials used in stealth frigates also aim to reduce their infrared and thermal signatures, making them less visible to infrared and heat-seeking sensors.
  • Acoustic Signature Reduction: 
    • Sound-absorbing materials and techniques are used to minimize the noise generated by the ship’s machinery and propulsion systems.
    • This makes it harder for adversaries’ sonar systems to detect the vessel underwater.
• Stealth frigates are typically used in naval operations for tasks such as anti-submarine warfare, anti-air warfare, maritime patrol, surveillance, and escort missions. 
• Their stealth features contribute to their survivability and effectiveness in modern naval warfare scenarios, where reducing detection and engagement ranges is crucial.

What is Project 17A?

• Project 17 Alpha frigates (P-17A) were launched by the Indian Navy in 2019.
  • Project 17A Frigates are the follow-on class of the Project 17 (Shivalik Class) Frigates, with improved stealth features, advanced weapons and sensors and platform management systems.
• The project was launched by the defence forces of India to construct a series of stealth guided-missile frigates.
• These frigates are currently being constructed by two companies – Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders (MDL) and Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE).
  • Under Project 17A program, a total of four ships by MDL and three ships by GRSE are under construction.
  • The project’s first five ships have been launched by MDL and GRSE, between 2019-2022.
  • The first stealth ship launched under Project 17A was the Nilgiri, which was launched in 2019.
  • Udaygiri, the second ship, was launched in May 2022.
• Project 17A ships have been designed in-house by Indian Navy’s Warship Design Bureau WDB.
• Aligning with country’s resolute commitment to Aatma Nirbharta, a substantial 75% of the orders for equipment and systems of Project 17A ships are from indigenous firms, including Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises MSMEs.

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News Summary: President Murmu launches stealth frigate INS Vindhyagiri

• President Droupadi Murmu on Thursday launched the advanced stealth frigate ‘Vindhyagiri’ for the Indian Navy in Kolkata.
• The ship was built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Ltd’s (GRSE) facility at Kolkata.

Key highlights

• Sixth vessel to be rolled out as part of the Project 17A Frigate
  • Stealth frigate Vindhyagiri is the sixth vessel rolled out as part of the Project 17A Frigate.
  • The five other ships – INS Nilgiri, Udaygiri, Himgiri, Taragiri, and Dunagiri – were launched between 2019 and 2022.
• Features
  • The P17A ships are guided missile frigates.
  • They are 149 metres long, with a displacement of approximately 6,670 tonnes and a speed of 28 knots.
  • These ships are capable of neutralising threats in all three dimensions of air, surface and sub-surface.

Q1) What is a Frigate?

A frigate is a type of naval warship that falls between larger destroyers and smaller corvettes in terms of size, capabilities, and roles. Frigates are designed to have a balance between offensive and defensive capabilities, making them versatile ships that can perform a variety of tasks. They are commonly used for escorting larger vessels, patrolling maritime regions, conducting anti-submarine warfare (ASW) operations, and engaging in surface warfare. 

Q2) What is Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE)?

Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE) is a public sector shipbuilding company in India. GRSE is headquartered in Kolkata (Calcutta) and is one of India’s leading shipyards, primarily engaged in the design and construction of a wide range of vessels for the Indian Navy, Coast Guard, and commercial clients.

Source: President Murmu launches stealth frigate INS Vindhyagiri | Indian Navy | Live Mint | Indian Express