Nilgiri-class frigate (2019)

INS Nilgiri; first ship of the class
Class overview
NameNilgiri class
Builders
Operators Indian Navy
Preceded byShivalik class
Succeeded byProject 17B class
Cost
  • 4,000 crore (equivalent to 47 billion or US$560 million in 2023) per frigate (Estimated)
  • 45,000 crore (equivalent to 530 billion or US$6.3 billion in 2023) (Total deal)
Built2017–present
In commission2025-present
Planned7
Building3
Completed3
Active1
General characteristics
TypeGuided-missile frigate
Displacement6,670 t (6,560 long tons)
Length149 m (488 ft 10 in)
Beam17.8 m (58 ft 5 in)
Draft5.22 m (17 ft 2 in)
Depth9.9 m (32 ft 6 in)
Installed power
PropulsionCODAG
Speed32 kn (59 km/h)
Range
  • 2,500 nmi (4,600 km) at 28 kn (52 km/h)
  • 5,500 nmi (10,200 km) at 16–18 kn (30–33 km/h)
Boats & landing
craft carried
2 × RHIB
Complement226 (35 officers + 191 sailors)
Sensors &
processing systems
Electronic warfare
& decoys
Armament
Aircraft carried1 × HAL Dhruv (or) Sea King Mk. 42B helicopters
Aviation facilitiesEnclosed helicopter hangar capable of accommodating one multi-role helicopters.
NotesFirst major class of Indian-designed warships to be built using integrated modular construction.

The Nilgiri-class frigates, formally classified as the Project-17 Alpha frigates (P-17A), are a series of stealth guided-missile frigates currently being built by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders (MDL) and Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE) for the Indian Navy (IN).

Designed by the Warship Design Bureau, the class is intended to serve as a complement to the currently-serving Shivalik-class frigates (P-17) with improved design portfolios, such as low radar cross-section (RCS) and reduced infrared signature.

With a total of seven vessels, the construction of the frigates are currently divided between MDL and GRSE. As of 2024, all seven frigates have been launched and are intended to enter service with the IN between 2024 and 2027. The frigates will form a part of the Eastern Fleet as well as the future Carrier Battle Group (CBG) of INS Vikrant.

Upon entering service, the class is to be complemented by an additional series of seven or eight frigates, under the codename the Project-17B series.