Vice Admiral S.R. Sarma, Chief of Material (COM) & CWP&A of the Indian Navy, and V.L. Kantha Rao, Additional Secretary (Defence Production), laid the keel of the third ship (Yard- 12653) of the prestigious P17A class stealth frigates. The keel-laying ceremony was conducted through an e-platform in the presence of Vice Admiral R.B. Pandit, Chief of Staff, HQWNC and Vice Admiral Narayan Prasad (Retd), CMD MDL.
Seven frigates under P17A series will be constructed of which four are being constructed in MDL and three in GRSE with MDL as the lead yard. The P17A class frigates are being built us- ing indigenously developed steel and fitted with weapons and sensors along with Integrated Platform Management System. These ships are having stealth features. Construction of P17A ships differ in the very concept of warship building by way of adoption of the modern technology ‘Integrated Construction (IC)’ where the blocks are pre-outfitted before joining to reduce the build period of warships. When commissioned, the platforms will enhance the combat capability of the Indian Naval fleet.
The function was attended by Rear Admiral G.K. Harish, DGND, Commodore T.V. Thomas (Retd), Director (CP&P), MDL, Rear Admiral A.K. Saxena (Retd), Director (Ship- building), Commander Jasbir Singh (Retd), Director (S&HE), MDL, Sanjeev Singhal, Director (Finance), MDL, Mahesh Chandra, CVO, MDL along with senior executives from MDL & Navy through an e-ceremony including the Warship Overseeing Team.