Project 17B-class frigate

The Project-17 Bravo frigates (P-17B) or Next Generation Frigates (NGF) are a class of planned stealth guided-missile frigates to be built for the Indian Navy (IN). The class will be a follow-on for Nilgiri-class frigates which is under construction. The class is a part of Next Generation series of future frontline surface combatants of the Indian Navy which includes Next Generation Destroyers (NGD) or Project 18-class destroyer and Next Generation Corvettes (NGC).^[2][3]

P-17B will be an improved variant of P-17A design. (Shown is an artist's rendition of P-17A)
Class overview
Name	Project-17B class
Operators	Indian Navy
Preceded by	Nilgiri class
Cost	₹70,000 crore (US$8.3 billion) (Total cost) around ₹9,994 crore (US$1.2 billion) per ship[1]
Planned	7-8
General characteristics
Type	Stealth guided-missile frigate
Displacement	6,700–8,000 t (6,600–7,900 long tons)
Armament	>48 VLS cells[1] which might include Project Kusha SAMs Barak 8 SAM Nirbhay subsonic cruise missile BrahMos supersonic cruise missile

History

Background

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.^[4][5][6]

On 3 September 2024, the project, worth ₹70,000 crore (US$8.3 billion), was cleared by Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) – the main acquisition panel under the Ministry of Defence (MoD) headed 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$5.9 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.^[7][8][9]

Design

Armament

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).^[1][10]

See also

Frigates of comparable configurations and capabilities

• FREMM multipurpose frigate – A series of multi-purpose frigates, operated by the French Navy, the Italian Navy, the Royal Moroccan Navy, the Egyptian Navy and currently being built for the United States Navy and the Indonesian Navy.
• Type 26 frigate – A class of frigates ordered by the Royal Navy, the Royal Canadian Navy and the Royal Australian Navy.
• Mogami-class frigate – A class of multi-mission frigates currently being built for the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force.
• Admiral Gorshkov-class frigate – A class of guided-missile frigates operated by the Russian Navy.
• Constellation-class frigate – A series of multi-purpose frigates currently being built for the United States Navy.

Other references to the Indian Navy

• Future ships of the Indian Navy
• List of active Indian Navy ships