12-Sep-2022: Launch of YD 12653(Taragiri)
The fifth Stealth Frigate of P17A, being built at MDL was launched today by Smt. Charu Singh, President NWWA (Western Region) who 0named the ship ‘Taragiri’. In compliance with the notification issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India declaring a state-mourning on 11 Sep 2022. The event was limited to a Technical Launch as the event is tide dependent, any change in the schedule was not possible. Vice Admiral Ajendra Bahadur Singh, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command was the Chief Guest, V.Adm. Kiran Deshmukh Controller Warship Production and Acquisition other senior officers from the Indian Navy and MoD were amongst the dignitaries who witnessed the launch ceremony.
The Warship Design Bureau (WDB) and the MDL teams having demonstrated multiple successful conventional launches in the past, have honed their expertise further and performed yet another pontoon assisted launch with panache. Following the launch, ‘Taragiri’ will join its two sister ships at MDL for outfitting activities towards the run up for their delivery to Indian Navy.
Seven P17A Frigates are under various stages of construction at MDL and GRSE. Indigenous construction of complex frontline ships such as Stealth Frigates has catapulted the nation to a higher pedestal in the arena of shipbuilding. It provides additional benefits such as economic development, employment generation for Indian Shipyards, their sub-contractors and ancillary industry. Further, 75% of the orders of the Project 17A have been placed on indigenous firms including MSMEs, thus reinforcing the country’s quest for ‘Atma Nirbhar Bharat’.
Speaking on the occasion, Vice Admiral Ajendra Bahadur Singh, FOC-IN-C, Western Naval Command praised the efforts of Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited, Warship Design Bureau and other Naval Teams in realizing the nation’s quest for self-reliance with regard to warship building. He added that ‘Taragiri’ will surely add to IN’s forte as and when it makes its way into the blue waters.
15-Jul-2022: Raksha Mantri launches Y- 3023 Dunagiri, Project 17A frigate at GRSE Ltd, Kolkata
Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh launched Y- 3023 Dunagiri, Project 17A frigate built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders Limited (GRSE) in Kolkata on July 15, 2022. Admiral R Hari Kumar, Chief of Naval Staff, and other senior officers from Indian Navy and Ministry of Defence were amongst the dignitaries who attended the ceremony.
P17A Frigates are follow-on class of the P17 (Shivalik Class) Frigates with improved stealth features, advanced weapons and sensors and platform management systems. Seven P17A Frigates are under various stages of construction at Mazagaon Dock Limited (MDL) and GRSE.
Speaking on the occasion, Raksha Mantri praised the efforts of Directorate of Naval Design and other Naval Teams in realizing the Nation’s quest for self-reliance with regard to warship building. He also commended GRSE for its unstinted support in the field of ship production despite various challenges and helping Indian Navy realize its ship induction plan. Raksha Mantri said that 'Dunagiri' would be a world class stealth frigate with multidimensional capabilities to destroy enemies from sea, sky, and underwater.
Speaking about the need to increase our infrastructure and assets in the changing scenario of the world, Raksha Mantri said that economic, political and trade relations between countries are constantly evolving. Security challenges in the Indian Ocean region and Indo-Pacific are constantly increasing. In order to achieve the Prime Minister's Vision of 'SAGAR', i.e. 'Security and Growth for All in the Region' and to protect, preserve and promote India's National Maritime Interests, Indian Navy, Indian Coast Guard and other organisations have to increase the infrastructure and assets so that the country stay ahead of the curve in dealing with these challenges.
Raksha Mantri recalled the brave sons of Bengal, Jatindranath Mukherjee (Baga), Khudiram Bose and Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, on the occasion and mentioned their unforgettable contributions to the Nation when our country is celebrating the 'Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav'. He also praised the role of brave women from Bengal, Begum Rukaiah, Bina Das and many others, who brought laurels not only to Bengal but to the whole country.
Speaking on the occasion, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral R. Hari Kumar said while Indian Navy’s primary mandate is to preserve, protect and promote Nation’s maritime interests, it also contributes substantially in building the economy of the country. He said that the Dunagiri project generated more than 3000 local employment opportunities. In addition, 29 Indian OEMs along with MSMEs across the country are contributing to this project. Thus, the Navy’s budget has a significant ‘plough-back’ into the economy and towards Nation-building. 88% of Navy’s future contracts amounting to investments of nearly Rs 1,75,000 Crore are being progressed through Indian Enterprises, he added.
Smt Kala Hari Kumar, President, Navy Wives Welfare Association (NWWA) performed the traditional honours and named the ship Dunagiri. The ship received a thunderous cheer from the jubilant gathering as she embraced the welcoming waters of the `River Hooghly.
14-Jul-2022: Launch of Y - 3023 (Dunagiri)
Dunagiri, a Project 17A frigate, will be launched into the Hooghly river at Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Limited, Kolkata on 15 Jul 22. Shri Rajnath Singh, Hon’ble Raksha Mantri will be the Chief Guest for the event.
Christened after a mountain range in the state of Uttarakhand, ‘Dunagiri’ is the fourth ship of P17A Frigates. These are follow-on of the P17 Frigates (Shivalik Class) with improved stealth features, advanced weapons and sensors and platform management systems. ‘Dunagiri’ is the reincarnation of the erstwhile ‘Dunagiri’, the Leander Class ASW Frigate, which in her 33 years of service from 05 May 1977 to 20 Oct 2010, had witnessed various challenging operations and multinational exercises. The soul of a ship lives eternally and finds a suitable ship. The first two ships of P17A Project, were launched in 2019 and 2020 at MDL and GRSE respectively. The third ship (Udayagiri) was launched at MDL on 17 May 22 earlier this year. The launch of the fourth ship within such a short span is a testimony to the impetus provided towards self-reliant shipbuilding with a focused approach.
P17A ships have been designed in-house by Indian Navy’s Directorate of Naval Design (DND), which has successfully spear-headed design of numerous class of indigenous warships in the past. This is a testimony of nation’s unwavering efforts towards ‘AatmaNirbharata’ as 75% of the orders for equipment & system are also being placed on indigenous firms including MSMEs.
4-Sep-2022: INS Satpura strengthens Friendship and Cooperation with Fiji
INS Satpura visited Suva, Fiji from 01 - 03 September 2022 as part of its Operational Deployment in the Pacific Ocean. The ship’s visit is aimed at further strengthening the friendship and cooperation between the two nations. During the port call, there were high level exchanges between the ship's crew and the Fiji Navy. The crew led by her Commanding Officer also paid homage to martyred soldiers at Fiji’s National War Memorial.
As part of the community outreach programme, planting of a thousand mangrove saplings was undertaken by the ship’s crew in coordination with Fiji’s forestry department. A medical camp was also conducted by the ship’s medical team at Albert Stadium, which saw large participation from the local populace. The ship was open to visitors during which a large number of locals visited the ship furthering the people-to-people connect between the two nations. Further, a special Yoga session was conducted on the ship’s Helo deck for personnel from Fiji Navy and local citizens.
Built at Mazagaon Docks Ltd, Mumbai, and commissioned on 20 August 2011, INS Satpura derives her name from the majestic Satpura mountain range in central India. A frontline warship of the Eastern Fleet based at Visakhapatnam, INS Satpura is currently on one of the longest deployments by the Indian Navy in the 75th year of India’s Independence.
3-Aug-2022: INS Satpura showcases her professional prowess in the Pacific Ocean during RIMPAC - 2022
INS Satpura entered Pearl Harbour in Hawaii, USA on 02 Aug 22 on completion of the sea phase of RIMPAC-22, a multilateral exercise conducted over 22 days off Hawaii, USA. The ship participated in Anti-Submarine, Anti-Ship and Anti-Air Warfare exercises with multi-national navies in the Pacific Ocean during the sea phase apart from undertaking cross-deck landings of Indian Naval helicopter on foreign warships and replenishment at sea.
The sea phase of RIMPAC-22 was divided into three sub-phases wherein ships undertook basic and advanced level integration exercises during the first two sub-phases. The event culminated with a theatre level large force tactical exercise. The exercise witnessed the participation of an aircraft carrier battle group, submarines, maritime reconnaissance aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles, remotely piloted surface ships and also an amphibious force landing operation including joint operations with Special Forces of multinational navies.
INS Satpura’s participation in RIMPAC-22, 9000 Nautical Miles away from Indian coast stands testimony to the Indian Navy’s capability to operate in any part of the world. RIMPAC-22 is one of the largest multilateral naval exercises in which the Indian Navy participates and the exercise this year has witnessed participation from 26 countries comprising 38 surface ships, 09 land forces, 31 unmanned systems, 170 aircraft and over 2,500 personnel.
INS Satpura is an indigenously designed and built 6000 tonnes guided missile stealth frigate. The ship is a part of the Eastern Fleet based at Visakhapatnam and has been tasked for a long-range operational deployment in the 75th year of India’s Independence.
28-Jun-2022: INS Satpura arrives at Pearl Harbour to participate in RIMPAC-22
INS Satpura entered Pearl Harbour in Hawaii Islands on 27 Jun 22 to participate in RIMPAC-22. INS Satpura and one P8I maritime patrol aircraft from the Indian Navy are participating in one of the largest multilateral Naval Exercises, the US Navy led biennial Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise 2022. The exercise spanning over six weeks of intense operations and training is aimed at enhancing interoperability and to build trust among Navies of friendly foreign countries. 27 countries are participating in the current edition of the multi-dimensional exercise.
INS Satpura is an indigenously designed and built 6000-tonne guided missile stealth frigate equipped to seek and destroy adversary in air, surface and underwater. A frontline unit of Eastern Fleet based at Visakhapatnam, INS Satpura is currently on an extended operational deployment in the 75th year of India’s Independence.
7-Jun-2022: INS Satpura visits Manila
Towards enhancing military cooperation with the navies of friendly foreign countries, Indian Naval Ship Satpura on a deployment to the South China Sea (SCS) and West Pacific, visited Manila from 03 to 06 June 2022. The visit was aimed at strengthening mutual working relationships and interoperability between the Indian Navy and the Philippines Navy.
During the visit, the Commanding Officer, Captain Saket Khanna called on Commodore Roy Vincent Trinidad, Deputy Commander of the Philippines Fleet. The IN ship was visited by officers and sailors of the Philippines Navy, who were briefed about the indigenous design and construction of the modern stealth frigate. Personnel from both navies also participated in friendly football and basketball matches.
INS Satpura is an indigenously designed and built 6000 tonnes guided missile stealth frigate equipped to seek and destroy adversaries in air, surface and undersea. The ship is a part of the Eastern Fleet based at Visakhapatnam.
5-Aug-2022: INS Sumedha visits Bali, Indonesia
As part of the Indian Navy's Long Range Deployment in the South Eastern Indian Ocean, INS Sumedha, is on a visit to Port Tanjung Benoa, Bali, from 04 Aug to 06 Aug 2022. The ship is en route to Perth, Australia, to coincide with India's Independence Day and celebrations of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav. The visit to Bali is aimed at strengthening bilateral ties, enhancing military cooperation and improving interoperability with the Indonesian Navy. During her stay at Bali, the ship's crew will engage in professional interactions, cross-deck visits and sports fixtures with their Indonesian Navy counterparts.
Prior to entering Bali, the ship undertook a Maritime Partnership Exercise with KRI Sultan Hasanuddin, a Sigma class corvette of the Indonesian Navy on 02 August 2022. The exercise which included seamanship evolutions, tactical manoeuvres and communication procedures provided an opportunity for sharing professional experiences and strengthening maritime cooperation between the two navies.
INS Sumedha is an indigenously built Naval Offshore Patrol Vessel and is deployed for multiple roles independently and in support of fleet operations. She is part of the Indian Navy's Eastern Fleet based at Visakhapatnam and functions under the operational command of the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Naval Command.