Indian Navy Launches Rs 70,000‑crore Tender for Seven Project 17B Stealth Frigates

The Ministry of Defence’s naval wing has formally floated a request for proposal (RFP) for seven next‑generation stealth frigates under the so‑called Project 17B. The whole package is tentatively pegged at about Rs 70,000 crore (roughly $840 billion), though the final bill will hinge on the bids that roll in.

Unlike earlier surface‑warship programmes – which were handed to shipyards via a nomination process – this time the navy is inviting four Category‑A public‑sector yards to compete. The shortlist includes Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd (MDL), Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), Goa Shipyard Ltd and Cochin Shipyard Ltd. By opening the process, the defence establishment hopes to drive down costs and spur innovation.

Project 17B is essentially the follow‑on to the Nilgiri‑class frigates built under Project 17A. Those ships, a total of seven, were split between MDL (four) and GRSE (three). Six of the Project 17A vessels have already entered service – the latest, INS Mahendragiri, was commissioned in July 2026 – while the seventh, INS Vindhyagiri, is still under construction at GRSE.

The new frigates will likely retain the hallmark features of their predecessors – a displacement of about 6,700 tonnes, a Combined Diesel‑or‑Gas (CODOG) propulsion set‑up, and a potent mix of weapons such as BrahMos anti‑ship missiles, MF‑STAR radar, medium‑range surface‑to‑air missiles, a 76 mm gun and a suite of anti‑submarine systems. Exact specifications for Project 17B have not been disclosed, but they are expected to build on the proven platform while integrating newer sensors and combat systems.

Project 17B has been simmering in the procurement pipeline since 2024. In September 2024, the Defence Acquisition Council, chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, gave the nod to a cluster of capital acquisition proposals worth a combined Rs 1,44,716 crore – the frigate programme was part of that bundle. Back then, the plan was to source the ships from Indian yards, and the current RFP simply moves the project to the next, competitive‑tender stage.

The shift to open bidding also reflects a broader trend in India’s defence procurement policy, aiming for greater transparency and value for money. If the bids are attractive, the navy could see its first stealth‑class frigates under Project 17B launched sometime in the early 2030s, further strengthening its blue‑water capabilities.