CALCUTTA: ‘Himgiri‘, the first of the three Project 17A ships being built at Kolkata’s Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Limited (GRSE), made its first contact with the waters of the Hoogly River on Monday.
Project 17A has upheld India’s vision for Atmanirbhar Bharat. P17A vessels They have been designed indigenously by the Naval Design Directorate (Surface Ship Design Group) – DND (SSG), and are being built in indigenous shipyards, namely Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) and GRSE.
General Bipin Rawat, Chief of the Defense Staff (CDS) was the main guest of the ceremony. In accordance with naval traditions, Smt Madhulika Rawat, the wife of CDS, launched the ship to the chanting of the Atharva Veda invocations. The ship has taken its name and crest from the second frigate of the Leander class of ships, which incidentally was launched 50 years ago in 1970.
“Under the Project 17A program, a total of seven ships are being built, four at Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) and three ships at GRSE with enhanced stealth capabilities, advanced indigenous weapon and sensor tuning along with various other enhancements. The launch of ‘Himgiri’ has shown GRSE’s commitment to building three next-generation P17A warships for the Indian Navy, “said a press release issued by the Ministry of Defense (Eastern Command).
Over the years, GRSE has grown into a leading shipyard that has built over 100 ships. The shipyard has expanded its infrastructure and skill sets to meet new challenges in P17A shipbuilding. The P17A ships are the first gas turbine propulsion and the largest combat platforms ever built at GRSE.
According to the Defense Ministry spokesman, shipbuilding offers a great opportunity to energize the Indian economy after the Covid-19 situation. The ships of Project 17A obtain 80% of the material and equipment necessary for the project from local suppliers and generate employment for more than 2000 Indian companies and MSMEs in the country.
“Modular ship construction through subcontracting and integrated construction methodology are being used to enhance GRSE’s productivity for the ship’s delivery scheduled for August 2023,” said a statement.
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