President Droupadi Murmu inaugurated the advanced Naval stealth frigate 'Vindhyagiri' in Kolkata, marking a significant milestone in naval capabilities. The cutting-edge vessel, equipped with state-of-the-art technology, will undergo rigorous testing before being handed over to the Indian Navy for active duty.
The inauguration took place at the facilities of Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Ltd (GRSE) along the banks of the Hooghly river. Present at the event were West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
This ceremony marked the launch of the sixth ship out of seven constructed as part of 'Project 17 Alpha' for the Navy. The preceding five ships were successfully launched between 2019 and 2022.
The 'Vindhyagiri' frigate is the third and final vessel of its kind to be built under the project by the Calcutta-based warship manufacturer.
An impressive 75% of the equipment and systems ordered for the P17A ships are sourced from indigenous firms, including micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), showcasing India's growing self-reliance in defense technology.
With a length of 149 meters, a displacement of approximately 6,670 tonnes, and a speed of 28 knots, the P17A ships are guided missile frigates designed to counter threats across air, surface, and sub-surface domains.
Prior to the inauguration of the frigate, President Murmu also launched the 'My Bengal, Addiction-Free Bengal' campaign as part of the 'Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan' organized by Brahma Kumaris at the Raj Bhavan.
This visit marks President Murmu's second trip to West Bengal since assuming office, following her election as president the previous year. Security measures were heightened across the city for the occasion, with traffic regulations in place on various roads to facilitate the visit.
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