Project 17A involves the construction of 7 warships. 7 frigates under P17A series will be constructed of which 4 are being constructed in Mazagon Dock Limited (MDL) and three in Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE), with MDL as the lead yard. Once completed, these will enhance the combat capability of the Indian Naval fleet.
Features of 17A:
·The P17A is the follow-on of earlier P-17 Shivalik class - first indigenously constructed stealth warships which are already in operations with Indian Navy
·The seven ships of P-17 A will have advanced stealth capability
·The ships are expected to have a mix of weapon systems sourced from Russia, Israel and some have been locally manufactured in India.
·The weapon suite includes the standard contemporary weapons so as to achieve seamlessly inter-operability with other Fleet Task Force ships.
·The main weapon and sensor suite of P-17A ships indicated are BrahMos SSM, LRSAM (Forward & Aft configuration) with MF STAR radar, indigenous Sonar, and Triple tube Heavy Torpedo launcher.
·Construction of P17A ships differ in the very concept of warship building by way of adoption of the modern technology Integrated Construction (IC) where the blocks are pre-outfitted before joining to reduce the build period of warships.
·The P17A class frigates are being built using indigenously developed steel and fitted with weapons and sensors along with Integrated Platform Management System.
·It will have low acoustic noise emanating from propellers, operating machinery like Diesel Generators etc., which helps sonars on other ships to detect its presence.
·Such stealth features play an important role in improving ship’s survivability in any hostile environment during operations.