Project 17B-class frigate
{{Short description|Indian stealth guided-missile frigates}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2022}}
| {{Infobox ship begin}}
{{Infobox ship image | image = P17A Nilgiri Class Frigate Design of Indian Navy.jpg | caption = P-17B will be an improved variant of P-17A design. }} {{Infobox ship class overview | Name = Project-17B class | Builders = | Operators = {{navy|India}} | Class before = {{sclass|Nilgiri|frigate|4 | 2019}}
| Class after = | Subclasses = | Cost = *{{INRConvert|70000|c|year=2024}} (Total cost)
| Built range = | In service range = | In commission range = | Total ships building = | Total ships planned = 7-8 | Total ships completed = | Total ships cancelled = | Total ships active = | Total ships laid up = | Total ships lost = | Total ships retired = | Total ships preserved = }} {{Infobox ship characteristics | Hide header = | Header caption = | Ship class = | Ship type = Stealth guided-missile frigate | Ship tonnage = | Ship displacement = {{cvt|6700-8000|t|LT|lk=on}} | Ship length = | Ship beam = | Ship height = | Ship draught = | Ship draft = | Ship depth = | Ship hold depth = | Ship decks = | Ship deck clearance = | Ship ramps = | Ship ice class = | Ship power = | Ship propulsion = | Ship sail plan = | Ship speed = | Ship range = | Ship endurance = | Ship test depth = | Ship boats = | Ship capacity = | Ship troops = | Ship complement = | Ship time to activate = | Ship sensors = | Ship EW = | Ship armament = *>48 VLS cells which might include
| Ship armour = | Ship armor = | Ship aircraft = | Ship aircraft facilities = | Ship notes = }} |
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).{{Cite web |last=Menon |first=Adithya Krishna |date=2024-08-29 |title=India's First P17A Nilgiri-class Frigate Starts Sea Trials |url=https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2024/08/indias-first-p17a-nilgiri-class-frigate-starts-sea-trials/ |access-date=2024-09-03 |website=Naval News |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Menon |first=Adithya Krishna |date=2023-08-13 |title=India Proceeds with New Submarines, Surface Ships Development |url=https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2023/08/india-proceeds-with-new-submarines-surface-ships-development/ |access-date=2024-09-03 |website=Naval News |language=en-US}}
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.{{Cite news |date=2024-07-18 |title=‘Most advanced ships to be built in India’: Defence ministry to clear mega Rs 70,000 crore order for new stealth warships |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/most-advanced-ships-to-be-built-in-india-defence-ministry-to-clear-mega-rs-70000-crore-order-for-new-stealth-warships/articleshow/111831812.cms |access-date=2024-09-03 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}{{Cite news |last=Pubby |first=Manu |date=2024-07-18 |title=Mazagon, Garden Reach Shipbuilders lead race for Defence Ministry's ₹70,000 crore warships order |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/defence-ministry-set-to-clear-70000-crore-frigates-order/articleshow/111817259.cms?from=mdr |access-date=2024-09-03 |work=The Economic Times |issn=0013-0389}}{{Cite web |title=All you need to know about new warships to be approved by Centre. They will be built at a cost of Rs 70,000 crore |url=https://www.theweek.in/news/india/2024/07/18/all-you-need-to-know-about-new-warships-to-be-approved-by-centre-they-will-be-built-at-a-cost-of-rs-70000-crore.html |access-date=2024-09-03 |website=The Week |language=en}}
On 3 September 2024, the project, worth {{INRConvert|70000|c|lk=on|year=2024}}, 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 ({{INRConvert|50000|c|lk=on|year=2024}}) and 31 MQ-9B drones was granted. Reports also suggested that the ships may weigh up to {{cvt|8000|t|LT|lk=on}} and have significantly enhanced firepower and strike capabilities when compared to the Nilgiri-class.{{Cite web |date=2024-09-03 |title=Navy's Rs 70,000-crore warship project, Army's 1,700-tank proposal to be approved |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/indian-navy-indian-army-warship-tank-proposal-approval-defence-ministry-dac-2592549-2024-09-03 |access-date=2024-09-03 |website=India Today |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2024-09-03 |title=Rafale-M acquisition to clear final hurdle at DAC today |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/rafalem-acquisition-to-clear-final-hurdle-at-dac-today-101725330692126.html |access-date=2024-09-03 |website=Hindustan Times}}{{Cite news |last= |first= |date=2024-09-03 |title=Defence Acquisition Council accords preliminary approval for 10 procurement proposals worth ₹1.44 lakh crore |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/government-approves-procurement-of-frcvs-air-defence-fire-control-radars-dornier-228-aircraft/article68601298.ece |access-date=2024-09-04 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}
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).{{Cite web |date=2024-09-17 |title=Indian Navy to equip upcoming Project-17B Frigates with 1,000 km range ITCM |url=https://www.theigmp.org/2024/09/indian-navy-to-equip-upcoming-project-17b-frigates-with-1000-km-range-itcm.html |access-date=2024-09-18 |website=India's growing Military power |language=en-US}}
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.
- {{sclass|Mogami|frigate|1}} – A class of multi-mission frigates currently being built for the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force.
- {{sclass|Admiral Gorshkov|frigate|1}} – 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.