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// Workers AI · dad joke modeWhat did the Project 17B-class frigate say? "I'm a-ship ahead

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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

P-17B will be the follow-on to the P-17A stealth frigates.
(Shown is an artist's rendition of P-17A)
Class overview
NameProject 17B class
Builderslist error: <br /> list (help)
Indian Navy Category A shipyards invited to bid:
Operators Indian Navy
Preceded byNilgiri class
CostAround ₹70,000 crore (US$7.3 billion) (estimated programme value)[1]
Planned7
General characteristics
TypeStealth guided-missile frigate
TonnageApproximately 8,000 t[2]

The Project 17B class, also referred to as the Next Generation Frigates (NGF), is a planned class of seven stealth guided-missile frigates for the Indian Navy. The programme is the follow-on to Project 17A (the Nilgiri class) and forms part of the Indian Navy's future surface-combatant modernisation programme.

The Defence Acquisition Council accorded Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for seven Project 17B stealth frigates in September 2024. The approved programme was reported at approximately ₹70,000 crore (US$7.3 billion), with individual ships expected to have a displacement of around 8,000 tonnes.[2][3]

On 16 September 2026, the Indian Navy issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) for the construction of all seven Project 17B frigates. The programme is being pursued through a competitive bidding process rather than the nomination route used for earlier major Indian Navy warship programmes. The RFP was issued to Category A Indian shipyards, including Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders (MDL), Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), Goa Shipyard (GSL) and Cochin Shipyard (CSL). The programme has been reported as having an estimated value of around ₹70,000 crore, although the final contract value will depend on the procurement process and the eventual contract.[1][4]

The Project 17B programme follows the seven-ship Project 17A programme, under which four Nilgiri-class frigates are being constructed by MDL and three by GRSE. Project 17A introduced enhanced stealth characteristics, modern sensors, weapons and integrated platform-management systems compared with the earlier Shivalik class.[5]

Unlike Projects 15A, 15B and 17A, which were awarded through nomination arrangements, Project 17B is being procured through competitive bidding. The September 2026 RFP therefore represents a significant change in the procurement structure for a major Indian Navy surface-combatant programme.[1]

The final Project 17B configuration, including detailed weapons, sensors, propulsion and ship-displacement specifications, is subject to the requirements contained in the RFP and subsequent contract. Earlier media reports have discussed configurations involving increased vertical-launch-system capacity and newer-generation air-defence and strike weapons, but such details should not be treated as final specifications until officially confirmed.

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. 1 2 3 "Rs 70,000-crore warship order: Indian Navy seeks bids for 7 Project 17B stealth frigates". Moneycontrol. 16 September 2026. Retrieved 22 September 2026.
  2. 1 2 "Defence Acquisition Council gives nod to 10 capital acquisition proposals". The New Indian Express. 3 September 2024. Retrieved 22 September 2026.
  3. ↑ "Defence Acquisition Council accords preliminary approval for 10 procurement proposals worth 1.44 lakh crore" (PDF). DRDO. 4 September 2024. Retrieved 22 September 2026.
  4. ↑ "Navy seeks bids for building 7 advanced stealth frigates under Project 17B, goes for competitive bidding instead of earlier nomination route". The Times of India. 16 September 2026. Retrieved 22 September 2026.
  5. ↑ "Project 17A Nilgiri-class stealth frigates". Press Information Bureau, Government of India. Retrieved 22 September 2026.

History

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Background

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In July 2024, reports suggested about a new class of 8 stealth frigates as follow-on of the previous Nilgiri-class frigates which was under construction till them. The ships were to be built by two shipyards with 1:1 order share of 4 ships each. The leading contenders for the deal were Mazagon Dockyard Limited (MDL) and Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE). The Ministry of Defence (MoD) was expected to clear the deal soon after the nature of the design of the frigates were under discussion for over a year. This would be the most technically advanced warships to be built in India. The ships will likely feature an indigenous main fire control radar against the EL/M-2248 MF-STAR radars on previous designs as well as other advanced indigenous weapon systems.[1][2][3]

Development

[edit]

On 3 September 2024, the project, worth ₹70,000 crore (US$7.3 billion), was cleared by Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) – the main acquisition panel under the Ministry of Defence (MoD) chaired by Minister of Defence Rajnath Singh for 7-8 next generation ships. The approval for other major projects and acquisitions like Future Ready Combat Vehicles (FRCVs) for main battle tanks of the Indian Army (₹50,000 crore (US$5.2 billion)) and 31 MQ-9B drones was granted. Reports also suggested that the ships may weigh up to 8,000 t (7,900 long tons) and have significantly enhanced firepower and strike capabilities when compared to the Nilgiri-class.[4][5][6]

As of 8 July 2025, request for proposal (RFP) for the Project 17B frigates is expected soon.[7] As of 18 November, the RFP of Project 17B followed by the same for the MCMV project is expected to be released within 3–4 months.[8]

In July 2026, NDTV reported that the RFP for six frigates under Project 17B will be issued within 18 months and that the construction expected to start within four years of the same. The MDL and GRSE would construct three of the surface combatants each. The programme will advance parallelly with Project 15C and Project 18A destroyer programmes.[9][10]

The RFP for seven frigates was officially issued on 16 September 2026. Earlier projects for destroyers and frigates were awarded through nomination route.[11][12]

Design

[edit]

Armament

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The ship will be equipped with at least 48 VLS cells which will be compatible for launching surface-to-air missiles as well as surface-to-surface missiles and anti-ship missiles including Barak 8, Project Kusha system, BrahMos and LR-LACM or Indigenous Technology Cruise Missile (ITCM).[13][14]

See also

[edit]

Frigates of comparable configurations and capabilities

[edit]

Other references to the Indian Navy

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ↑ "'Most advanced ships to be built in India': Defence ministry to clear mega Rs 70,000 crore order for new stealth warships". The Times of India. 18 July 2024. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 3 September 2024.
  2. ↑ Pubby, Manu (18 July 2024). "Mazagon, Garden Reach Shipbuilders lead race for Defence Ministry's ₹70,000 crore warships order". The Economic Times. ISSN 0013-0389. Retrieved 3 September 2024.
  3. ↑ "All you need to know about new warships to be approved by Centre. They will be built at a cost of Rs 70,000 crore". The Week. Retrieved 3 September 2024.
  4. ↑ "Navy's Rs 70,000-crore warship project, Army's 1,700-tank proposal to be approved". India Today. 3 September 2024. Retrieved 3 September 2024.
  5. ↑ "Rafale-M acquisition to clear final hurdle at DAC today". Hindustan Times. 3 September 2024. Retrieved 3 September 2024.
  6. ↑ "Defence Acquisition Council accords preliminary approval for 10 procurement proposals worth ₹1.44 lakh crore". The Hindu. 3 September 2024. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 4 September 2024.
  7. ↑ Singh, Mayank (7 July 2025). "17 warships, nine submarines await approval". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 8 July 2025.
  8. ↑ Menon, Adithya Krishna (18 November 2025). "Indian Shipyard MDL Expects New Projects From Indian Navy". Naval News. Retrieved 20 November 2025.
  9. ↑ Madhavendra Pratap, Rishabh (10 July 2026). "Exclusive: Navy's Next Build-Up Takes Shape With 3 Warship Projects Worth Rs 1 Lakh Crore". NDTV. Retrieved 10 July 2026.
  10. ↑ Menon, Adithya Krishna (18 November 2025). "Indian Shipyard MDL Expects New Projects From Indian Navy". Naval News. Retrieved 10 July 2026.
  11. ↑ "Navy seeks bids for building 7 advanced stealth frigates under Project 17B, goes for competitive bidding instead of earlier nomination route". The Times of India. 16 September 2026. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 17 September 2026.
  12. ↑ "Indian Navy seeks bids for 7 Project 17B stealth warships worth ₹70,000 crore - CNBC TV18". CNBCTV18. 16 September 2026. Retrieved 17 September 2026.
  13. ↑ "Why Indian Navy's New P17B Frigate Will Cost $1.19 Billion Per Unit, 50% More Than Previous P15B". Defence.in. 6 September 2024. Retrieved 8 September 2024.
  14. ↑ "Indian Navy to equip upcoming Project-17B Frigates with 1,000 km range ITCM". India's growing Military power. 17 September 2024. Retrieved 18 September 2024.
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