Rs 70,000‑crore warship order: Indian Navy seeks bids for seven Project 17B stealth frigates

On September 16, 2026, the Indian Navy officially put out a request for proposal (RFP) for seven new stealth frigates under the umbrella of Project 17B. The numbers are staggering – the whole package is estimated at roughly Rs 70,000 crore, which translates to a massive boost for the domestic shipbuilding sector.

What’s different this time? Instead of the old‑fashioned “nomination” method where a single shipyard gets the job, the Navy has sent the RFP to all Category A yards – Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd (MDL), Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), Goa Shipyard Ltd, and Cochin Shipyard Ltd. In short, they’re letting the market decide.

It’s a landmark move. Previous big‑ticket programmes – Project 15A (Kolkata‑class destroyers), Project 15B (Visakhapatnam‑class destroyers) and even the first batch of Project 17A (Nilgiri‑class frigates) – were handed out through direct nominations. Project 17B is the first major surface‑warship effort to go through a competitive bidding round.

Project 17B itself is a follow‑on to the already‑operational Project 17A. The earlier batch consists of seven frigates – four built by MDL in Mumbai and three by GRSE in Kolkata – each displacing about 6,670 tonnes and packed with BrahMos missiles, MF‑STAR radar, a 76‑mm gun and a host of anti‑submarine weapons. Six of those ships have already entered service; the seventh, Vindhyagiri, is still under construction.

While the exact specifications of the new vessels haven’t been laid out in the public domain, it’s safe to assume they’ll build on the same stealthy hull form, advanced sensor suite and power‑pack architecture, perhaps even integrating newer combat systems as they become available.

Why now? The Defence Acquisition Council, chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, gave the green light to the Project 17B proposal back in September 2024 as part of a Rs 1,44,716‑crore package of capital acquisitions. The Rs 70,000‑crore figure is an estimate – the final cost will crystallise once the bidding concludes and contracts are signed.

For the shipyards, this is a high‑stakes opportunity. MDL has traditionally been the go‑to yard for large surface combatants, but GRSE, Goa Shipyard and Cochin Shipyard are all eager to prove they can handle a complex stealth frigate programme. The competition could drive innovation, tighten schedules and perhaps even bring down the overall price tag.

All eyes will be on the tender submissions, which are expected to roll in over the next few months. Whichever yard clinches the contract will not only secure a massive order but also cement its role as a key player in India’s push for self‑reliant defence manufacturing.